Finders Keepers – How to Treasure Hunt for the Famous Lincoln City Glass Floats

During our time in Lincoln City, we did a waterfall hike, saw one of the shortest rivers in the world, and paid a visit to the Seven Miles of Smiles, the name for the 7 miles of beautiful beach here. The unique feature about these beaches is the Lincoln City glass float hunt called Finders Keepers.

What is Finders Keepers

You can find one of the 3,000+ glass floats hidden along Lincoln City’s seven miles of sandy beaches year-round. (It used to be only during winter from mid-October to Memorial Day). If you’re lucky enough to stumble across one, it’s yours to keep.

The Seven Miles of Smiles runs from Roads End on the north to Siletz Bay on the south.

See More: The Ultimate Oregon Coast Road Trip

History of Finders Keepers

Years ago, beachcombers would be lucky to find a blown glass Japanese fishing float on the shores of Oregon. Fisherman used these beautifully crafted tools on their float fishing nets, but sometimes they ended getting cut off and lost. Anyone who found them would bring them home and admire their new-found treasure.

Nowadays, all fishing vessels have phased out glass floats to use buoyant plastic. A local artist thought bringing back the glass floats would be a great way to launch the new millennium and attract visitors during the slower season. Lincoln City sponsored the project and held the inaugural season of Finders Keepers in 1999-2000.

Finders Keepers brought tourists from all over the country looking for these signed and numbered floats. It was a success! The city loved how it turned out since it combined art and the outdoors, and many of the visitors also spent time in the city.

Since then, it’s been an annual tradition that gets locals and visitors excited!

What are the Rules

To help you in your search, the Float Fairies, who are responsible for hiding the glass floats follow a basic set of rules:

• The fairies place the floats above the high tide line to ensure they don’t get washed away, and below the beach embankment.
• The fairies hide them throughout the day (not all at once) and only during daylight hours.
• They’re out rain or shine, except for during unsafe weather or ocean conditions.
• Find info on cancellations via social media and their website.
• You can only have one float per person per year to give everyone a chance to find one!

Registering Your Lincoln City Glass Float

After finding your float, be sure to register your float here! By doing so, you’ll receive a Certificate of Authenticity and information about the artist.

You can also call 541-99601274 or text FLOATS to 24587. Just be sure to have your float registration number handy, which you can find near the bottom or “button.” 

Special Lincoln City Glass Float Drops

On top of the floats that are normally placed on the beach each day, extra floats are hidden for holidays and special occasions. Those usually include the following:

• January 3-5, 2025: 25th Anniversary Opening Weekend: 100 floats
• February 8-17, 2025: Antique Week: 100 Japanese antique-style floats
• February 14-16, 2025: Valentine’s Day: 50 Red/pink/white floats
• March 22-April 19, 2025: Spring break: 200 floats
• April 19-22, 2025: Earth Day: 50 Earth Day floats
• April 24-27, 2025: Dark Sky: 30 floats
• May 9-11 2025: Mother’s Day: 50 floats
• May 24-June 6, 2025: Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation: 129 yellow floats
• June 13-15, 2025: Father’s Day: 50 floats
• June 20-21, 2025: Casino Anniversary: 30 floats
• June 21-22, 2025: Summer Kite: 10 floats
• Aug 30-Sept 1, 2025: Ocean Conservation: 40 floats
• September 17-20, 2025: Celebration of Honor: 50 Red/white/blue floats
• September 20-21, 2025: Fall Kite: 10 floats
• Oct 11-14, 2025: Indigenous People’s Day: 50 floats
• Oct 31-Nov 2, 2025: Halloween: 50 floats*
• Nov 14-16, 2025: Restoration Pow-Wow: 50 floats*
• December 12-14, 2025: Holiday: 50 floats*

*Dates subject to change due to King Tides and unsafe weather conditions.

There’s More Than One Way to Get a Float

Whether you weren’t lucky enough to find a glass float during your visit, or you don’t have the time to look for one, there are a few other ways to get one.

Many of the local art galleries and shops will carry unnumbered glass floats for purchase. A few shops you can check out are Lincoln City Glass Center, Volta Glass Gallery, and Flanigan’s Glass Gallery.

The city also holds a monthly drawing at the Visitor Center for glass floats. To enter, you can bring either of these to the Visitor Center: a bag of beach trash or bring a dated photo of you picking up litter. They will give you an entry form that you to fill out.

Essential Tips

• When you’re looking for a glass float, they use the term “hide” loosely since they want you to find them. We found ours in tall grass, and the bright blue was hard to miss.
• A great place to start hunting is at any of the public beach access points. We found ours at the SW 51st Street Beach Access.
• There’s no pattern to when or where they hide the floats. The Float Fairies pick a random time of day, and not even the organizers know the locations.
• As always, have a raincoat handy with you. The rain can be unpredictable on the Oregon Coast.

Best Places to Stay

What’s Nearby

• Drift Creek Falls Hike (15.8 mi / 37 min, map)
• Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area (17.6 mi / 26 min, map)
• Yaquina Head Lighthouse (23.1 mi / 34 min, map)
• Cape Kiwanda (23.5 mi / 35 min, map)
• Thor’s Well in Cape Perpetua (51 mi / 1 hr 10 min, map)

More Resources

• Oregon Road and Recreation Atlas
• Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon: A Guide to the State’s Best Waterfall Hikes
• 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon
• Washington, Oregon, and the PNW Travel Guide

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North Oregon Coast Attractions

Not only did we love their rugged coast and getting to witness the power of the Pacific ocean, but we also loved the diversity in activities. We enjoyed the beaches, tried crabbing for the first time, sandboarded where sandboarding was invented, and hiked to waterfalls. Today, we’re sharing the best things to do on the Oregon Coast and the best beaches to visit.

The North Coast has longer stretches of sandy beaches and is the most touristy part of the Oregon Coast. It’s most well known for Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock, but did you know there are three Haystack Rocks along the Oregon Coast?

See More: Your Ultimate Eastern Oregon Road Trip

Astoria – Mile 0 →

• Astoria Column
• Astoria-Megler Bridge
• Oregon Film Museum
• Columbia River Maritime Museum

See More: 15 Unique Things to Do in Astoria Oregon

Where to Stay

Cannery Pier Hotel (read our full review) We loved our stay here right next to the bridge.

Warrenton – Mile 6.5

• Fort Stevens State Park – Peter Iredale Shipwreck was nice during sunset.
• Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks / Fort Clatsop – it’s a National Park unit.
• Sunset Beach State Recreation Site

Seaside – Mile 20

• Seaside Aquarium – feed the seals! You get a small tray of fish for $2 after entry into Aquarium.
• Seaside Promenade – this goes along the Seaside Aquarium.
• Dig for razor clams – You can do this at the beach next to Seaside Aquarium too.
• Play at game of Fascination at the Funland Arcade

Ecola State Park – Mile 26.5

• Ecola Point to Indian Beach Hike – 1.5 mi, easy – The Indian Beach Trail and viewpoints were closed due to mudslides (April 2017). Check the conditions of the trails before you go.
• Clatsop Loop Hike – 3 mi loop, 700 ft, easy, you’ll see the Tillamook Rock Light aka Terrible Tilly and Indian Beach.
• Crescent Beach Hike – 3.6 mi, 310 ft, easy – can see caves at Ecola Point, Sea Lion Rocks at Ecola Point, and Bird Rocks at Chapman Point.
• Tillamook Head Traverse Hike – 6.3 mi, 1350 ft, moderate –  see Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, clifftop views, strong hikers continue 1.3 mi to the Ecola State Park Trailhead then down to Cannon Beach.

Cannon Beach – Mile 28

• Haystack Rock – You can see them from Haystack Hill State Park and Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site is just south of it. This is a great spot for sunrise and sunset. If you’re lucky, you may see some tufted puffins on Haystack Rock (April – August)
• Castaways – moderately priced Cajun-Creole food
• Cannon Beach Hardware and Public House – hardware store that serves food. Get the fish and chips.
• Public Coast Brewing – try a flight and the burgers.
• Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge – Had a beautiful view of the beach, and the halibut cheek (a special) and the scallops were great.

Where to Stay

Surfsand Resort (mid-range – luxury) – Really popular spot and in high demand. I was so excited to see Haystack Rock from our balcony!

Local Tip: The locals usually stay in Manzanita 30 minutes south of Cannon Beach since it’s much quieter and much less touristy.

Hug Point State Recreation Site – Mile 34

• Hug Point Hike – 0.5 mi RT, 20 ft, easy, go only at low tide (Check the tide charts here). Hike to the caves, a seasonal waterfall, and old stage coach trail.

Oswald West State Park – Mile 43

• Hike to Short Sand Beach and on the way see a suspension bridge too. We got lost in the park, so we didn’t end up doing any of the official hikes.
• Neahkahnie Mountain Loop Hike – 8 mi lollipop loop, 2300 ft moderate difficulty. It has nice coastal views and you go under a natural tunnel formed by tree roots. If you just want to hike to Summit Viewpoint, it is 3 mi RT and moderate.
• Arch Cape to Short Sand Beach – 15.9 mi RT, 990 ft, difficult. If you want a longer hike and want to avoid the crowds, this is the hike for you. Arch Cape to Cape Falcon is the least traveled part of Oswald West State Park.

Garibaldi – Mile 55.6

• Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
• Pier’s End – 700-foot long pier. It’s Oregon’s longest pier.

Tillamook – Mile 65

• Tillamook Cheese Factory Tour – Mmmm… cheese. Take the free and self-guided tour. Currently, only a portion of it is open. Check their site for updates.
• Cape Meares and Cape Meares Lighthouse – Oregon’s shortest lighthouse. You can also see the Octopus Tree and the Big Spruce here (Oregon’s largest Sitka spruce).
• Lost Boy Cave – You can only go at super low tide (-1.5 or lower, see tide charts here). There are 3 points of entry. The easiest and safest is from Short Beach from the North. The other entry point is through Tunnel Beach on the South. Legend calls it Lost Boy Cave because a boy drowned here. From the cave, you can see Three Arch Rocks and Lost Boy Beach. We were bummed that we had to skip this since the tide wasn’t low enough.
• Jacobsen Salt Co. – Do a salt tasting of the salt harvested right at Netarts Bay. It’s famous for their texture, taste, and appearance and is used by chefs all over the world. You can also do a Bee Local honey tasting, their sister company.
• Cape Lookout State Park – Popular for beachcombing, glass floats, and hiking. There are more than 8 miles of trails through lush, old-growth forest. You get amazing ocean views, easy access to the beach, and you might spot whales.
• Munson Creek Falls – 0.6 mi, 95 ft, easy hike to the highest waterfall along the Oregon coast (three-tiered 319 ft)
• Tillamook Air Museum

Local Tip: See many of the attractions via the Three Capes Scenic Loop (map). This 40-mile scenic byway takes you to all three Capes: Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, Cape Kiwanda. Other stops: Munson Creek Falls, Nestucca Bay, Bob Straub State Park, Clay Myers State Natural Area, and Lost Boy Cave.

Pacific City – Mile 87.4

• Cape Kiwanda – This is where you see the second Haystack Rock. It looks similar to the one Cannon Beach, and the area doesn’t have as many tourists.
• Pelican Pub & Brewery is a craft beer industry leader. They are well known for pairing their food and beer well and have been doing it for over 20 years.
• Surfing
• Horseback Riding (fall and winter hours are on Friday-Saturday only)

Where to Stay

We stayed at Inn at Cape Kiwanda (mid-range) – located just off Highway 101, in relaxed and uncomplicated Pacific City, Oregon. All 35 deluxe guest rooms feature private balconies with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and Haystack Rock, air conditioning, cozy gas fireplaces. It also has Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.

Central Oregon Coast Attractions

The Central Coast is similar in appearance to the North Coast but has fewer sandy beaches and more sea cliffs, terraces, and bays. This is where the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area starts.

See More: Everything You Need to Know About Thor’s Well

Lincoln City – Mile 112 →

This is one of the bigger cities on the coast, which will give you more food and lodging options. Portlanders like to come here to cool off during the summer.

• Drift Creek Falls Hike – Takes you over a suspension bridge to a beautiful waterfall.
• Seven Miles of Smiles – the beaches from Roads End to Siletz Bay. This is famous for their Finder’s Keepers glass float hunt. Each year from mid-October to Memorial Day, “Float Fairies” will hide glass treasures along the Seven Miles of Smiles. We found a couple from the SW 51st Street Beach Access.
• D-River – this river was once named the shortest in the world! It is measured to be 440 ft (130 m) and 120 ft (37 m) at extreme high tide.
• Roads End Hike – 2.6 mi, 15 ft, easy
• Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area – quick stop and you can see it from the parking lot. It doesn’t look all that special unless you go at sunset.

See More: How to Treasure Hunt for the Famous Lincoln City Glass Floats

Depoe Bay – Mile 128

• The Whale Watching Center at Depoe Bay

Newport – Mile 141

• Marine Discovery Cruise – the Sealife cruise takes ~2 hours, where they look for gray whales, harbor porpoise, seals, sea lions, pelicans, and bald eagles (depending on the time of year).
• Yaquina Head Lighthouse at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (BLM) – Oregon’s tallest lighthouse at 93 ft. The structure was completed in 1874 and is Oregon’s second-oldest continuously operating lighthouse. The area is amazing for tide pooling. I’ve never seen such a huge concentration of creatures in one spot.
• Historic Newport Bayfront – See the sea lions on the public piers and private docks. It has a nice view of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and has some nice souvenir shopping.
• Rogue Ales Brewery / Brewer’s on the Bay – this was named one of the top 50 American breweries by Beer Advocate and is on the Newport Historic Bayfront.
• Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site – Not to be confused with Yaquina Head, but this also has a lighthouse, the Yaquina Bay lighthouse. You also get a nice view of Yaquina Bay Bridge from here.
• Agate Beach State Recreation Site – beachcombing is popular here. If you’re lucky, you will find an agate.
• Nye Beach – A great place to escape to. Colorful buildings fill this seaside community, and you can shop, eat, or spend time on the beach.
• Oregon Coast Aquarium – one of Oregon’s top tourist attractions. It brings in over 40,000 students each year for its excellent educational programs.
• Hatfield Marine Science Center

Where to Stay

Sylvia Beach Hotel (currently closed for renovations) – 21-room themed bed & breakfast with a homey charm. Each room is based on an author and is perfect for unplugging since there are no telephones, TVs, or wi-fi in the rooms. We stayed in the Hemingway room. 

Don’t forget to check out their Tables of Content Restaurant where it’s communal style and you get to meet the other guests. Also, say hi to Shelley the resident cat for us! Call for reservations at 541.265.5428 or Toll-Free 888.795.8422.

Yachats / Cape Perpetua Scenic Area – Mile 164.4

• Cape Perpetua Scenic Area – this is where you’ll find Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, Devil’s Churn, and Cook’s Chasm. There are also plenty of tide pools to explore too. Be sure to check the tide charts here. Go at high tide for Thor’s Well (you will get soaked, but the photos are worth it!).
• Yachats Brewing (CLOSED) – Located in an old bank building, it is now a center for food, beer, and culture.

Florence – Mile 190

• Heceta Head Lighthouse – This is the brightest light on the Oregon coast and the most photographed lighthouse in the state.
• Sea Lion Caves – This is America’s largest sea cave inhabited by sea lions. Take in the sounds (and smells)! There are the most seals in the cave during Winter and Spring, they then head out for mating during the Summer, and are in and out feeding during the Fall.
• Sand Master Park – We first went sand boarding in Great Sand Dunes in Colorado, but on this trip, we met Lon Beale who invented sand boarding and made the world’s first sand board park!  If you’ve never done it before, you can also get lessons.
• Bridgewater Fish House – Sip elegant cocktails and dine on delicious seafood, steaks, pasta, and more in the heart of Florence’s Historic Old Town at this classic coastal spot.
• Guided Sand Rail Tour – ride through the amazing sand dunes on a guided tour.
• Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area – Riding Dune Buggies – Enjoy an exciting guided Sand Rail Tour or a Professionally guided Interpretive Scenic Tour on one of the famous big purple buggies driven by a skilled driver.
• Historic Old Town

South Oregon Coast Attractions

The South Coast is more rugged and mountainous. It’s generally known to be warmer and sunnier than the North and Central coast (maybe because it’s closer to California). You will start seeing more redwoods, cedar, Douglas-fir forests, and plenty of sand dunes.

See More: The Ultimate Guide to Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Reedsport – Mile 211.5

• Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area – the elk stay pretty far back. If you want a photo, bring your longest lens.

North Bend – Mile 235

• McCullough Bridge – passed by and saw it but didn’t stop
• Oregon Dunes NRA – If you didn’t get enough of the sand dunes, you can stop here for more!

Coos Bay – Mile 237.5

This is the largest city on the Oregon Coast

• Coos History Museum & Maritime Collection
• Shore Acres State Park – a great place to storm watch and see huge crashing waves.
• Cape Arago Beach Loop – includes Bastendorff Beach, Sunset Bay State Park, Cape Arago Lighthouse Viewpoint, Shore Acres State Park and Botanical Gardens, Simpson Beach, Shell Island Interpretive Stop, Cape Arago State Park
• The 7 Devils Brewing Company

Bandon – Mile 270

• Bullards Beach State Park – Coquille Lighthouse
• Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint – great sunset or sunrise spot. Also, look for Wizard’s Hat / Howling Dog Rock.
• Washed Ashore – trash washed ashore turned into art.
• Face Rock Creamery
• Coastal Mist Chocolates
• Stillwagon Distillery

Port Orford – Mile 301

• Cape Blanco State Park and Cape Blanco Lighthouse – Oregon’s most southern lighthouse and is the westernmost point in Oregon.
• Port Orford Heads State Park
• South Coast Tours – adventure paddle tours! Try kayaking or SUP.

Where to Stay

WildSpring Guest Habitat is such a cute glamping spot! It’s a small eco-friendly resort overlooking the ocean with 5 luxury cabins and beautiful grounds to enjoy.

Gold Beach – Mile 328

• Rogue Jets – open May 1 to Oct 15
• Barnacle Bistro – great casual spot servicing fresh and local seafood and burgers.
• Arch Rock Brewing
• Turtle Rock – a rock formation just off the highway (west of the 101) that looks like a turtle. You can map to Turtle Rock Resort.
• Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor – just a few steps down the trail to the west, you can see Humbug Mountain. You can hike through thick Sitka Spruce rainforest to Hunters Cove (3 mi out and back).
• Meyers Creek Beach – there is a large shark fin rock formation and it a popular spot for windsurfing.

Where to Stay

Tu Tu Tun Lodge (luxury) – This was our favorite place to stay on the Oregon coast. There are regular rooms or you can rent out one of the amazing homes. It’s such a relaxing place and a great way to end a trip. We were in the River House and didn’t want to leave! Call 1.800.864.6357 for reservations or email lodge@tututun.com.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor + Brookings – Mile 357 →

Hiking trails connect all the viewpoints along Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, or you can hop in a car and go to the most popular viewpoints.

• Arch Rock Picnic Area – short walk to a couple viewpoints
• Natural Bridges – viewpoint or hike down closer to the water
• Thomas Creek Bridge – hike down to the beach to get a view of the bridge
• Whaleshead Beach Picnic Area – quick stop and viewpoint
• House Rock Viewpoint – quick stop and viewpoint
• Thunder Rock Cove – short hike
• Secret Beach Hike + Miner Creek waterfall flows into Secret Beach – unmarked stop on the road with a short hike to the beach
• Harris Beach State Park – south of Samuel H Boardman there is a feature that looks similar to the keyhole at Pfeiffer State Beach in Big Sur!
• Chetco Point Park

Local Tip: There’s so much to see! We recommend spending more than one day here.

See More: The Ultimate Guide to Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Best Places to Stay on the Oregon Coast

• Astoria: The Cannery Pier Hotel (see full review here).
• Cannon Beach: Surfsand Resort (mid-range – luxury) – most popular hotel in Cannon Beach. You can see Haystack Rock from your balcony.
• Pacific City: Inn at Cape Kiwanda (mid-range) – you can see Haystack Rock #2 from your balcony.
• Newport: Sylvia Beach Hotel (luxury) has different rooms with an author theme. We stayed in the Hemingway.
• Florence: Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center (mid-range) has amazing oceanfront rooms.
• Port Orford: WildSpring Guest Habitat (mid-range) is such a cute glamping spot.
• Gold Beach: Tu Tu Tun Lodge (luxury) was our favorite place to stay on the Oregon coast.

Oregon Coast Itinerary

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Oregon Coast Map

Essential Tips for First Timers

• When to Go – October – May is considered rainy season. You will have the least rainy days in July and August, but the summer is also when you’ll get the crowds. September is a good month to go because it’s shoulder season. You still get a bit of the nice weather but less crowds.
• Be flexible – the weather can change dramatically day to day. Some activities will not be possible in the rain, storm, or choppy waters. Have a plan B and a plan C.
• Park Passes to Bring: Your Oregon State Park Pass is good for Ecola State Park, Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Heceta Head, Shore Acres (otherwise $5 per day per park). America the Beautiful Pass gets you into Lewis and Clark NRA, Yaquina Head, Cape Perpetua, Oregon Dunes NRA, and any other National Parks or BLM lands you may want to visit. There is also an Oregon Coast pass that gets you into any state and federal parks, but not the parks if you want to venture more inland.
• If you want to end your trip with a shorter drive back to Portland, start from South to North, which is what we will probably do next time.
• Download Alltrails+: If you plan on doing hikes, download Alltrails+ so that you can have the trail maps offline.
• Lesson Learned – Planning your photo stops with Instagram and Pinterest is nice in theory, but we learned how many things were mislabelled. We spent a lot of time getting lost (and not in a good way since we were packing in so much to do all 363 miles of coast).

What to Pack for Your Oregon Coast Trip

• Pack a Raincoat: We had one partly cloudy day, and all the other days were rainy and stormy.
• Clothes to Get Dirty In: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy especially on hikes. It also helps if you also wear quick-dry clothes underneath your waterproof layers. It’s not necessary, but we even wore waterproof pants on one of the stormy days where it was raining sideways and we were still completely soaked. Also might not recommend going out when it’s that stormy.
• Solid Hiking Boots: We love these Danner ones because they’re so comfortable and waterproof. If you prefer sneakers, check out these to keep you dry.

15 Unique THings to Do in Astoria

Astoria was regionally the trading center for the lower Columbia basin, and still remains a hub to this day. Its economy is centered around fishing, fish processing, and lumber, but most people who visit now see it as a great weekend getaway and a pilgrimage to see where the Goonies was shot.

We spent two days in this charming little town, and here’s what we did!

6. Brewery / Brewpubs

1 8th St, 97103, map

Astoria has a great brewery and brewpub scene. Fort George Brewery is the most popular and touristy brewery in Astoria, but this time we decided to go to Buoy Beer Company based on a local’s recommendation instead. They had great beer, a good food selection, and a small section of the floor is glass where you can see the sea lions under the pier!

See More: 49 Best Places to Eat in Portland Oregon

14. Fort Stevens State Park

100 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, 97121, map

Just 9 miles west of Astoria, you’ll find this state park that gives lets you check out the coast, as well as the mouth of the Columbia River. There are multiple parking lots that give you access to the water where you can enjoy the wildlife and beautiful scenery.

Within For Stevens State Park lies the shipwreck of Peter Iredale. This four-masted steel barque sailing vessel ran ashore in 1906 and has since made its home there. When the tide is lower, you can walk right up to it to explore and take photos.

Local Tip: Depending on what water levels you want it to be, be sure to check the current tide levels.

Map of Things to DO in Astoria OR

Best Places to Stay in Astoria

What’s Nearby

• Young River Falls (10 miles / 22 mins away) – This waterfall cascades over a large 54-foot wall into a locked in pool. If you are hoping to hunt down all the waterfalls in Oregon like we are, be sure to make time for this!
• Cannon Beach (26 miles / 42 mins away)
• Tillamook Rock Lighthouse (27 miles / 50 mins away)
• Kelly’s Brighton Marina (48.3 mi south / 1 h 14 min drive, map) – go crabbing or just eat fresh crab

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Other Spring Blooms in Portland

Don’t limit yourself to just the Cherry Blossoms. There are a bunch of other beautiful blooms in Portland.

When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Portland

Catching Cherry Blossoms when they bloom can be tricky! In Portland, the blooming cycle typically happens in March and April, but any chance in weather can delay them by a few weeks.

On top of that, we’re always hoping to catch the peak bloom, which is when 70 percent of the flowers have opened up. You can enjoy the flowers 4-5 days before and after peak bloom, but if you’re lucky enough to catch it at its peak, it’s magical.

If you live in the area, start keeping an eye out for predictions. The most accurate ones are made 10-12 days out. 

More Things to Do in Portland

• 25 Most Popular Instagram Spots in Portland
• Portland’s International Rose Test Garden
• Where to Find Roses in Portland aka Rose City
• Where to Find the Best Views in Portland

Essential Tips

• Check out the latest blooms on their corresponding sites: Japanese Garden, Japanese American Historical Plaza, & Hoyt Arboretum.
• There is a free Washington Park Shuttle that will take you between the Rose Test Garden, Japanese garden, and Hoyt Arboretum.
• Once the cherry blossoms start to bloom, visit as often as you can to ensure you don’t miss peak bloom.
• If you’re going to a crowded area, bring a tripod. You can try layering photos and make sure no one is in each section of the photo.

Best Places to Stay in Portland

What’s Nearby

• Columbia River Gorge (30 min / 24 miles)
• Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm (45 min / 34 miles)
• Oregon Coast (1 hr 30 min / 80 miles)

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The Ultimate Oregon Bucket List

There were over a thousand places in Oregon we wanted to explore, including all the waterfalls, state parks, mountains, lakes, breweries, etc.

For the sake of making this post easier to digest, this is a condensed checklist of 101 things to do divided by region. You can click the links for more info on each destination or region.

Essential Tips for First Time Visitors

• Before your trip, visit TripCheck to see weather conditions and make sure roads are open.  Each region has very different climates and road conditions. Be sure to do some research to find the best times to visit each area. In high elevations, roads may be closed until late summer. Certain parts of the state are more developed than others. Check road conditions to see if you need a four-wheel drive and high clearance vehicle. In Eastern Oregon, for example, you will run into more dirt/gravel roads.
• Waterfalls are gushing in the winter, but you also get the rainiest weather. If you go in early summer you can get decent weather and the waterfalls aren’t dried up to a trickle compared to late summer.
• We always recommend being prepared with layers (especially a rain jacket) and waterproof shoes that give you support. Bring crampons if you are going anywhere with snow or ice.
• Pick up an Oregon State Park Pass, NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass to save money when visiting all the parks.
• Our go-to camera set up: Canon R5 + 35mm + 70-200mm

Where to Stay in Portland

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21 Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

We’ve broken down the hikes into three categories: Easy, Moderate, and Difficult. You can click on the links in the content menu above to skip to each section.

Map of the Columbia River Gorge

More Easy Hikes You Can Add On

• Catherine Creek State Park, Washington – 90 species of wildflowers between Feb and July
• She Who Watches – guided tours to see petroglyph/pictograph that is run twice a week in April to October (Fri and Sat 10 AM)
• Bridal Veil Falls – 120 ft cascading falls – not our favorite waterfall/hike, but it’s close to many of the others
• The Hood River Spit – popular beach for windsurfers
• Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint – see Vista House and Beacon Rock from here
• Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge – easy, kid-friendly, lots of wildlife
• Horsetail Falls – a waterfall right along the road
• Little Beacon Rock Loop Hike – see Beacon Rock’s much smaller and older neighbor
• Pool of the Winds Hike – easy hike to see two waterfalls
• Eagle Creek Overlook Hike – get views of the Bonneville Dam

Essential Tips for Hiking in Oregon

• Download AllTrails+ to have access to trail maps offline.
• Waterfalls are fuller during winter, but the weather is also rainier. Early summer or fall is best since you might get decent weather and the waterfalls aren’t a trickle, otherwise, don’t forget your rain jackets!
• Solid hiking shoes are really helpful. These waterproof ones are our go-to year-round.
• In the winter, the trails can be iced over, so hike with crampons.
• There are commonly landslides or fires and sometimes trails are closed. Check this site for current closures.
• This is our go-to adventure camera backpack. It’s water-resistant so it’s good for light rain and mist from the waterfalls, but you can easily throw on a rainfly when you head more protection.
• If you’re taking photos, don’t forget a waterproof casing or cover to protect your camera. Even if it’s not raining, many of the waterfalls have a ton of mist. It also helps to have a tripod and ND filters if you’re hoping to shoot waterfalls.

Best Places to Stay in the COlumbia River Gorge

More Resources

• Columbia River Gorge Topo Map
• Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge
• Hiking Waterfalls Oregon: A Guide to the State’s Best Waterfall Hikes

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