We're going a bit out on a limb here at That Oregon Life. This story began as a sort of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" compilation, but after a giant list of my own and a slew of recommendations from friends all over the state, we realized that wasn't going to work....
There are places in Oregon where history whispers instead of shouts. No crowds. No big signs demanding your attention. Just a narrow trail winding through towering trees, the soft hush of wind through redwoods, and the quiet understanding that something extraordinary...
There’s something almost surreal about standing beneath a redwood tree. The scale doesn’t quite make sense at first. You look up, and up, and somehow still can’t find the top. The air feels cooler. The light turns soft and green. And for a moment, everything else...
There’s something about a drive-in movie theater that feels like stepping into a different era. The glow of a giant outdoor screen. The hum of car radios. The smell of popcorn drifting through warm evening air. It’s the kind of experience that instantly slows you down...
There are moments along the Oregon coast that don’t feel real. Not the kind you photograph and move on from. The kind that stop you mid-step, make you question what you’re seeing, and stick with you long after you’ve left the shoreline. This is one of those moments....
There are places in Oregon where time doesn’t just slow down… it quietly slips away altogether. I discovered one of those places the moment I stepped aboard a vintage train in the tiny town of Elgin. The engine hummed to life, the whistle echoed across the valley, and...
Over the years, Luigi’s has proudly served over a million sandwiches, cementing its status as an iconic institution in Medford’s culinary scene.
If you’re looking for a short hike on the Oregon Coast that delivers something truly unforgettable, the Cathedral Tree Trail in Astoria is one you’ll want on your list. This isn’t one of those long, exhausting hikes where the payoff barely feels worth it. In just...
If you’ve ever driven through north-central Oregon and thought, there’s gotta be something out there, you’re right… there is. And it might just be one of the most underrated places in the entire state. Cottonwood Canyon State Park doesn’t try to grab your attention...
There aren’t many places in the United States where you can watch a giraffe stroll past your windshield or hear a lion roar just a few yards away from your car. But in Southern Oregon, that experience is surprisingly real. Damara Zebra roam the grassy hills of...
Some restaurants serve burgers. Others dare you to prove something. At Giant Burger, larger than life burgers have been part of their identity for generations. This old school burger joint in Springfield, Oregon has been turning out thick, juicy patties since 1947,...
If you love antiques, shopping, and exploring for unique items and vintage clothing, Astoria, Oregon has a wealth of antique shops that are calling your name.
