Tyler James was born in Oregon and founded That Oregon Life in 2013 after finding peace and a renewed sense of purpose in the state’s forests, mountains, and coastline. What started as a personal connection to the outdoors became a way to help others discover new places, support local businesses, and appreciate Oregon’s quirks. He writes about local history, outdoor adventures, good food, and the occasional bit of satire, or whatever catches his attention before the coffee wears off.
Ready for an adventure? Oregon's coast is home to historic lighthouses perched above rugged headlands, river mouths and dramatic stretches of the Pacific. Some remain active aids to navigation, while others have been preserved as museums, viewpoints or…
Every spring, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival takes place in Woodburn, Oregon on a 40-acre farm. This magnificent event is a must-see for anyone living in or visiting Oregon. In addition to fairytale-like scenery, hot air balloons, games…
Fresh caught Dungeness Crab, mouth watering Ahi Tuna, and specialty burgers that will make your taste buds explode. Hilltop Café Bistro is a must stop on the Oregon coast!
Sissi’s is a small and charming bakery in the quiet town of Philomath, Oregon, located just five miles southwest from the college town of Corvallis, home to Oregon State University (go Beavs!). The town used to be home…
Located directly off SE McLoughlin Blvd in between the Brooklyn and Westmoreland neighborhoods, the MAC’D Window is part of the Commissary Kitchen, a corner that’s packed with small local eateries including pizza, Mexican, and Korean and plenty of…
If you live in Oregon, then you know just how rare a snow day on the Oregon coast is. Many of us, myself included, woke up to a most beautiful and surprising sight this morning. The power was…
The Central Oregon coast town of Lincoln City is an unexpected location for an authentic German pub, but you’ll find one here nonetheless! At Autobahn 101 you won’t see BMWs and Volkswagons speeding down the 101 highway (in…
The Oregon Coast is home to a color-changing creature that is a “master of disguise,” according to a video that shows the creature swimming through tide pools. A change in its coloring and texture can be seen as…
Unless you make it a point to take scenic drives through Oregon, you likely won’t find yourself passing through the small town of Brownsville anytime soon. However, you may want to consider setting aside an afternoon to do…
Oregonians love their burgers, fries, and shakes, and as a result, we have a seemingly-endless array of hometown classic burger joints. While Bonanza Drive-Up in Cottage Grove isn't too fancy, it has proven itself to be a favorite…
During the winter storms last December, one of Newport's most popular tourist attractions suffered a serious blow and it is now in the process of rebuilding the docks and bringing back the blubbery mammals. Some docks drifted away…