Willamette Valley. Stretching some 100 miles long from Portland south past Eugene to the Calapooya Mountains and 60 miles at its widest point between the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range, Oregon's Willamette Valley is a verdant and fertile region best known as Oregon Wine Country.
Cities in the valley include, from south to north, Cottage Grove, Eugene, Corvallis, Albany, Dallas, Salem, Keizer, McMinnville, and Hillsboro.
The Willamette River flows south to north, a rarity in the Pacific Northwest, and cuts right through the middle of Portland.
Yes, Willamette River water quality is safe for swimming most times of the year, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality. Exposure to bacteria is the greatest health concern for people swimming or enjoying other sports on the river, according to DEQ.
The valley may be loosely defined as the broad plain of the Willamette, bounded on the west by the Oregon Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range.
Beaver, otter, mink, and black-tailed deer are also common sights along the Willamette River and, similar to birds, these species rely on a healthy system based on vegetation and the food and habitat that it provides.
So, for the record, the correct pronunciation of Willamette as it relates to the Oregon wine region is “Will-AM-it” as in “It's Will-AM-it, damit!”
Founded in 1859, Oregon is known for its wild west past, its quirky present-day traditions, and its many natural marvels (including the world's largest living organism). Here are 25 fascinating facts about America's 33rd state. 1. Portland is home to the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland.
- Albany–Corvallis.
- Bend–Prineville.
- Eugene–Springfield.
- Medford–Ashland.
- Portland.
- Salem–Keizer.
Summer temperatures average around 80 degrees but do go over a 100 for one or two days a year. Overnight temperatures average around 60 degrees. This is a 90 day period that typically has very little (and sometimes none) rain.
Led by the college towns of Corvallis and Eugene, Oregon had three of the top 50 places to live in Livability's 2018 Top 100 Best Places to Live. Oregon also is one of the few states without a sales tax. Portland is ranked among top destination cities for relocation in several surveys.
The region is located in the middle of the state with the Cascades to the west dividing the state from north to south, and the smaller Ochoco Mountains to the east.
| Central Oregon |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| Cities | Bend Madras Prineville Redmond Sisters |
| Area |
Snowfall in Oregon is greatest in the Cascade Range. On the other hand, most winter precipitation in the Coast Range falls as rain, though heavy snow sometimes occurs. In most mountain areas in Oregon, the ground above 4,500 feet (1,400 m) is covered with snow from December through April.
According to the Köppen climate classification, most of Western Oregon has a temperate oceanic climate (or Do type), which features warm summers, and wet winters with frequent overcast and cloudy skies. The high desert region of the state is much drier, with less rain, more snow, colder winters, and hotter summers.
Distance from California to Oregon is 786 kilometers.
The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between California and Oregon is 786 km= 488 miles. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) from California to Oregon, It takes 0.87 hours to arrive.You May Be Surprised To Learn These 12 Famous People Are From Oregon
- 12) River Phoenix, Madras.
- 11) Matt Groening, Portland.
- 10) Holly Madison, Astoria.
- 9) Ndamukong Suh, Portland.
- 8) Ty Burrell, Grants Pass.
- 7) Lisa Rinna, raised in Medford.
- 6) Kaitlin Olson, Portland.
- 5) Sally Struthers, Portland.
Oregon's cost of living is high, especially in larger city's like Portland where rent can average right around $1,500 a month. That's expensive. But, when compared to the state as a whole, only slightly more expensive than other city's. Rent in Oregon averages just under $1,100 a month.
20 Fascinating Facts About Oregon
- Deepest Lake. Crater Lake.
- Shortest River. At 121 feet, D River happens to be the shortest river in the world.
- Mushroom Hunting.
- Tallest Barber Pole.
- Longest Land Routes.
- Second Most-Climbed Mountain.
- Most Bicyclists.
- No Sales Tax.
Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.
Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon is a West Coast state. With Washington State to the north and California to the south, Oregon also borders Idaho and Nevada. With the Pacific Ocean to the east, Oregon shares one of its four borders with a body of water.
Oregon leans Democratic as a state, with both U.S. Senators from the Democratic party, as well as four out of Oregon's five U.S. Representatives. The state has voted Democratic, by relatively small margins, since 1988 in presidential elections.
The flag of the state of Oregon is a two-sided flag in navy blue and gold with an optional gold fringe. On the front is the escutcheon from the state seal and on the reverse is a gold figure of a beaver, the state animal.
The best time to visit the Willamette Valley
Depending on the year, harvest typically kicks off in late September and runs through early November. You'll see the vineyard landscape dotted with crews picking the ripe fruit and truck beds filled with bins of deep purple pinot noir grapes cruising backcountry roads.Dress comfortably.
You are safe wearing jeans, khakis, a cute top and sweater. Wear comfy shoes and leave the high heels at home. Always bring a sweater or jacket for layers, because even when it's hot out (which is anything above 70 here in Portland), it can get pretty windy at the vineyards.The Best Seasons to Visit Willamette Valley
“The most popular time to visit is between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The weather is the sunniest and the vineyards are waking up. In my opinion the best time to visit is in Winter. Our winters are mild.Portland. Fly into Portland. Q2, The "region" is quite large.
Dress comfortably.
You are safe wearing jeans, khakis, a cute top and sweater. Wear comfy shoes and leave the high heels at home. Always bring a sweater or jacket for layers, because even when it's hot out (which is anything above 70 here in Portland), it can get pretty windy at the vineyards.Wine lovers seeking a flight of offbeat with their sipping road trip will want to head to Oregon's Willamette Valley, a gorgeous, 150-mile swath south of Portland. Laced with some 500 wineries, Oregon's wine country is one of the world's premier pinot noir–producing regions.
Road Trip: 10 Must-See Spots Along the Oregon Coast
- Astoria. Start your trip southward here, near the mouth of the Columbia River.
- Cannon Beach. This is our personal favorite stretch of sand in Oregon, and it's one of the most popular, too.
- Camp 18.
- Indian Beach Trail.
- Tillamook Cheese Factory.
- Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
- Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
- Coos Bay.
Portland. Fly into Portland. Q2, The "region" is quite large.
- I would recommend staying in Portland for a couple of nights to experience some of the great wine bars such as Oregon Wines on Broadway, where you can taste many different pinots.
- Newberg will be about an hour from the airport if the traffic isn't bad.
