Learn how to Discover Hood River, Oregon, From Windsurfing to the Driveable 35-mile ‘Fruit Loop’

Life in Hood River, Oregon revolves round water and mountains. With the Columbia River bordering the town to the north and Mount Hood, a stratovolcano within the Cascades, to the south, the small metropolis is a playground for individuals who prefer to be energetic exterior year-round. The vacation spot has all of the climbing, biking, and snowboarding you can need, however it could be greatest recognized for a sport that’s a bit extra area of interest: windsurfing. Because of the winds that funnel up the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River has been nicknamed the “windsurfing capital of the world,” and windsurfers and kiteboarders come from throughout to play within the wind, particularly between June and September. However vacationers with different pursuits are certain to take pleasure in Hood River as nicely.

“Often known as Portland’s yard, Hood River isn’t just for skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, and kiteboarders, but in addition for artwork lovers, beer and wine lovers, and foodies,” says Ashley Huckaby, a Hood River native and account supervisor with DVA Promoting & Public Relations who spoke with Journey + Leisure by way of electronic mail.

The wealthy, volcanic soil of Mount Hood make the Hood River Valley a paradise for farmers and locavores, too. This area is the most important producer of pears within the U.S., and native growers additionally produce award-winning apples, cherries, and grapes. The latter crop has made the Hood River Valley dwelling to a few of the greatest wineries within the Pacific Northwest, and domestically made beer is simply as prevalent. Actually, Huckaby notes that there are “greater than 20 wineries, 13 cideries, and essentially the most craft breweries per capita within the nation” right here. Many could be visited by touring the realm’s iconic Hood River Fruit Loop (extra on that under). 

That will help you discover this wealthy vacation spot, we have put collectively the last word information to the Hood River neighborhood (which has a pleasant inhabitants of underneath 10,000 folks), together with what to do, the place to eat, and find out how to get round.

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The Hood River Resort is as central because it will get. This historic property is the city’s oldest resort, and its location offers friends quick access to Hood River’s greatest meals, espresso, breweries, and retailers. There’s a room sort for everybody, together with a 10-bed, hostel-style bunkhouse and spacious suites with full kitchens and home windows overlooking downtown. 

“As the one resort in downtown Hood River, [guests] are a brief stroll from award-winning eating places and breweries, galleries, wine tasting, and nightlife,” mentioned Huckaby. “A keep on the Hood River Resort wouldn’t be full with no Nordic-inspired brunch at Broder Øst (adjoining to the foyer), [nor] an [e-bike] rental and a experience from Sol Rides two doorways down.”

The Columbia Gorge Resort & Spa is simply 5 minutes from downtown Hood River by automotive, nevertheless it feels hours away. The property sits proper on the Columbia River and is surrounded by lush gardens. Rooms have an Artwork Deco really feel, with some perched on the cliffs overlooking the gorge and others outfitted with fireplaces.

The city isn’t referred to as the “windsurfing capital of the world” for nothing. The winds listed here are constant, and the Hood River Waterfront Park makes launching into the water simple for even novice windsurfers and kiteboarders. You possibly can e book a lesson or simply hire windsurfing gear via Massive Winds at “The Hook,” a leisure space on the west finish of the park. At Hood River Occasion Web site, located within the middle of the park, Brian’s Kiteboarding, Windsurfing & SUP additionally rents out all you may want for windsurfing, along with kiteboards and stand-up paddleboards.

If you wish to eat your approach via Hood River, hop on the Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35-mile, self-guided driving tour that passes by 28 fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and fields of flowers. It’s hands-down one of the simplest ways to see the valley and to partake within the foods and drinks the area is understood for.

“It goes from rainforest to abandon in solely about 25 miles,” explains Jonathan Cohen, co-owner of The Society Resort in Bingen and Portland, who spoke with T+L by way of electronic mail. “We are able to develop apples to cherries to nuts to wheat to wine grapes all inside a couple of miles of one another, after they’re often a lot additional aside.”

Lower than an hour from Hood River, skiers and boarders will discover two nice ski areas — Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows. The previous is perched close to the highest of the Mount Hood volcano and boasts the longest ski season in North America (usually November to Could), and that is welcome information for multi-sport athletes who wish to kayak or windsurf within the gorge earlier than making turns within the snow up at Timberline.