These 11 cities offer the best of small-town Oregon

Look! Portland is fantastic. Both tourists and Portland locals can enjoy pricey lattes everywhere they go, voodoo doll-shaped doughnuts, international food trucks, and Sleestak greetings.

However, Oregon offers much more than just the bustle of the metropolis.These 11 Oregon cities, according to WorldAtlas, have the small-town charm you might be missing in the big metropolis.

Ashland

This image, taken on Thursday, February 8, 2024, shows a sign inviting guests to Ashland, Oregon.Meagher, Sean/The Oregonian

Nestled in the mountains, Ashland has the charm of a charming rural town. The annual Shakespeare Festival, which draws audiences from all over to witness both faithful and imaginative renditions of the Bard’s work, is arguably its most well-known event.

According to WorldAtlas, the town’s reputation for friendliness and openness is supported by a flourishing volunteer community and an emphasis on the arts that characterize daily life.

Its quaint downtown offers independent bookshops, cafes, and galleries that are perfect for a stroll. However, there is still enough to do in Oregon if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. You can explore the Japanese Garden or go on the mountain trails.

Sisters

Sisters, OregonRosemarie Stein and her employees

According to WorldAtlas, Sisters is regarded as one of the friendliest communities in Oregon, yet it’s also typically regarded as one of the top tourist destinations.

A wonderful and instructive tour through Sisters is made possible by the many public art works dotted throughout the town. You may enjoy the surroundings, stop at a café, and discover more about Sisters as you go.

WorldAtlas recommends visiting the Three Sisters Historical Society Museum to learn more about the region’s past, then going to Camp Sherman on the Metolius River to go fly-fishing, and finally ending your Sisters trip at the Sisters Saloon to enjoy some live music.

Cannon Beach

In 2019, the sun sets over Haystack Rock and the beach at Cannon Beach, producing a vibrant sky and surf scene.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale

On the Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is well-known for its frigid but walking beach and enormous Haystack Rock, which was featured in the popular 1980s movie The Goonies.

As WorldAtlast notes, Cannon Beach’s economy is based on tourists, thus it has a lot to offer visitors and is particularly tourist-friendly.

You can spend your time tidepooling close to Haystack Rock and observe some interesting nudibranchs, possibly even a sea star or two, depending on the season. Puffins can be seen nesting on and around the rock if you go there in the spring and summer.

Beautiful pathways that lead to some undiscovered beach gems can be found at Ecola State Park. However, if you want to experience the laid-back yet artistic ambiance of a beach town, you can go into town for some delicious seafood, or stop by Cannon Beach Book Company for a beach read and Sleepy Monk Coffee for a cup of coffee.

Yachats

On the west side of Yachats on the central Oregon coast, the 804 Trail traces the Pacific Ocean.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale

According to WorldAtlas, Yachats frequently rates highly for both breathtaking vistas and welcoming residents, even though Cannon Beach may be the most well-known beach town in Oregon.

By the way, it’s pronounced YAH-hots.

With breathtaking views of the shore, Yachats is the highest point on the Oregon coast. For those who enjoy trekking, there are trails, and for those who want to wander, there is a botanical garden. You can go to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area or the neighboring Thor’s Well, a unique rock feature that resembles a wild bottomless water sinkhole, for some picture-perfect vistas.

However, visitors are cautioned by the Yachats website that the vicinity of Thor’s Well is hazardous and prone to sneaker waves.

Over the years, Thor’s Well has also lowered numerous cameras into its depths, so guests are asked to observe the natural beauty in a safe manner.

West Linn

The 26-acre Camassia Nature Preserve in West Linn, which is overseen by the global environmental group The Nature Conservancy, offers a foggy vista of Mount Hood.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale

West Linnce celebrates the tradition of summers.

The West Linn Old Time Fair, which features parades, cuisine competitions, and live music, takes over Willamette Park in July. According to WorldAtlas, it has been a popular, sentimental celebration since 1957.

There are numerous walking and hiking routes in West Linn, just like in our other locations. Every year, there are a number of family-friendly festivals that cater to all seasons, adding to the wonderful small-town atmosphere.

Lake Oswego

A view of Oswego Lake taken on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from Southshore Boulevard.Meagher, Sean/The Oregonian

Although Lake Oswego is only a short drive from Portland’s downtown, it seems very different. Although it appears to be a suburban area, there are many peaceful, picturesque locations to have a cup of coffee in between shopping or lakeside recreation.

Locals flock to the Festival of the Arts like it’s the Super Bowl, according to World Atlas.

You can take a walk at George Rogers Park and pause to take in the views of the river if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Oregon Trail.

Manzanita

Viewpoint from Neahkahnie Mountain in Oswald West State Park, showing the beach at Manzanita and Nehalem Bay.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale

Another seaside town with enough of its own beauty is Manzanita, which occasionally casts a shadow over Cannon Beach or Newport.

With lots of apartments directly on the ocean, it’s a fantastic spot to unwind all year long. Nestled near to Neahkahnie Mountain, Manzanita offers hiking and tidepooling for those who like the great outdoors.

WorldAtlas recommends the Manzanita Farmers Market, which is open from mid-June to mid-September, if you’re into Sunday morning markets.

You should visit Manzanita at the Manzanita Film Festival in the fall if you’re more interested in dressing up and seeing some art flicks.

Depoe Bay

Pictured on Thursday, February 24, 2022, the Rocky Creek Bridge, also called Ben Jones Bridge, is located just south of Depoe Bay on the central Oregon coast.Meagher, Sean/The Oregonian

During the season, which runs from March to September, Depoe Bay is a fantastic destination for whale watching.

According to WorldAtlas, the locals who work at the Whale Watching Center, which is situated directly above the waves, are genuinely friendly and knowledgeable, particularly when it comes to spotting gray whales.

Depoe Bay’s primary draw is whale viewing, but it also boasts plenty of small-town charm.

Ainslee’s Salt Water Taffy is worth taking the time to see, according to World Atlas.

However, you can go to the Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area if you want to see the beach and perhaps go hiking as well.

Bandon

Bandon, Oregon’s Old Town on Monday, April 29, 2024. On behalf of The Oregonian, Haley NelsonSpecial to The Oregonian: Haley Nelson

If you visit Bandon in September, you may take in the Cranberry Festival, which is regarded as the Cranberry Capital of Oregon.

To learn more about Bandon’s Native history, visitors can visit the Bandon Historical Society Museum or explore Old Town Bandon, where they can purchase handcrafted crafts and artwork.

Canby

Oregon’s Canby500px/Getty Images

Flower lovers will be delighted to hear that Canby hosts the annualSwan Island Dahlia Festival, August September.

With hundreds of named dahlia types spread across roughly 50 acres of fields, this flower festival is unlike any other. But if Halloween is more your thing, WorldAtlas suggests visiting Canby during its Spooktacular village, where businesses turn into decorated storefronts of a family friendly haunt.

If you re looking to beat the heat, just outside Canby you can find the Mollala River State Park, which offers hiking trails and water recreation.

Florence

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, OHVs traverse the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area in Florence, Oregon, driving up and down the dunes. On behalf of The Oregonian, Haley NelsonHaley Nelson | Exclusive to OregonLive/The Oregonian

The closest place in Oregon to Frank Herbert’s Arrakis is Florence.

The Old hamlet District of Florence is a quaint tiny hamlet that buffets the stunning sand dunes. WorldAtlas suggests making a stop at the Beachcomber Pub for a real local feel.

If sandboarding isn t the sport for you, you can visit Florence for the Rhododendron Festival. With parades, pie-eating competitions, and other events, it truly exudes small-town charm.

Florence s calendar is filled with community events that foster a friendly, small-town atmosphere, which draws visitors seeking a genuine local experience, according to WorldAtlas.

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