Vancouver/Portland Guidebook
Food scene
Great vegan spot
We love:
The millet bowl
Bakn’ Chz Burger
Puddin’ cup w/ Karamel
Pixie Retreat - Pearl
432 NW 11th AveGreat vegan spot
We love:
The millet bowl
Bakn’ Chz Burger
Puddin’ cup w/ Karamel
So delicious! Definitely try their mushroom biscuit! All their bowls and drinks are really good.
202 locals recommend
Harlow
3632 SE Hawthorne BlvdSo delicious! Definitely try their mushroom biscuit! All their bowls and drinks are really good.
Shopping
Some items can be a little pricier here, but this store is truly a gem. They have multiple locations and carry many local products and food items.
Some of our favorite products there are:
Hazelnut HU (Human) chocolate
Theo chocolate (Seattle Based)
Brew Dr. Kombucha (Love & Clear Mind)
GTS root beer or mint adaptogenic kombucha
Pan’s Mushroom Jersey (BBQ Portland based)
1022 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveSome items can be a little pricier here, but this store is truly a gem. They have multiple locations and carry many local products and food items.
Some of our favorite products there are:
Hazelnut HU (Human) chocolate
Theo chocolate (Seattle Based)
Brew Dr. Kombucha (Love & Clear Mind)
GTS root beer or mint adaptogenic kombucha
Pan’s Mushroom Jersey (BBQ Portland based)
Experience
We love Bella’s!
At certain times of the year you can go berry picking. They have an animal farm, corn maze (seasonal), hay rides and more.
Definitely pick up some of their Organic wine before you go our favorite is the Blueberry
6 locals recommend
Bella Organic Farm
16205 NW Gillihan RdWe love Bella’s!
At certain times of the year you can go berry picking. They have an animal farm, corn maze (seasonal), hay rides and more.
Definitely pick up some of their Organic wine before you go our favorite is the Blueberry
Adventure
Gorgeous views! The most iconic photo for Oregon post cards and the like. Must see!
974 locals recommend
Multnomah Falls station
Gorgeous views! The most iconic photo for Oregon post cards and the like. Must see!
Sightseeing
One of my favorite beachs takes about an hour and 45 min to get there but so worth it. Great day trip!
307 locals recommend
Cannon Beach
Center StreetOne of my favorite beachs takes about an hour and 45 min to get there but so worth it. Great day trip!
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveBeautiful sights. Great for a relaxing day.
Vancouver Waterfront
695 Waterfront WyBeautiful spot to overlook the Colombia River.
City advice
Ways to save
Save $$ when shopping
There is no sale tax on all items purchased in Oregon and no sales tax on food purchased in Washington
Ways to save
Save $$ on gas
Download the GasBuddy app it’s free and will help you navigate affordable gas near you
What to pack
Weather Expectations
It’s typically never too hot or too cold here but I recommend bringing items that can easily be layered. As mornings can be overcast and then clear up and be warm and sunny later.
Customs and culture
Don’t want to look like a tourist
It’s true what they say about Pacific North Westerners “they don’t use umbrellas”. Most locals will just wear a jacket with a hoodie as the rain is typically light and patchy.
Customs and culture
Watch out
In Portland it’s common for pedestrians to just cross the street regardless of lights and on coming traffic. So be careful when driving around this caught us off guard when we first moved here.
Ways to save
Love to shop?
There are so many wonderful affordable places to shop out here. Thrift stores are really common. Locals are also obsessed with IKEA (kind of like the Costco of home goods).
Customs and culture
Planning on driving?
While free parking is generally easy to find in Vancouver, you may need to pay for street parking in Portland. “Parking Kitty” is the name of the app used to pay for your street parking spot. You’ll know when you see the sign with the pink cat face.