Planning a trip to Oregon

Tips for Families

If you have enough trouble simply getting your kids out of the house in the morning, dragging them thousands of miles away may seem like an insurmountable challenge. But family travel can be immensely rewarding, giving you new ways of seeing the world through smaller pairs of eyes.

Families traveling in Oregon should be sure to take note of family admission fees at many museums and other attractions. These admission prices are often less than what it would cost for individual tickets for the whole family. At hotels and motels, children usually stay free if they share their parent's room and no extra bed or crib is required, and sometimes they also get to eat for free in the hotel dining room. Be sure to ask.

Health & Safety

The best medical facilities in the state are in Portland, Salem, and Eugene.

If you suffer from a chronic illness, consult your doctor before your departure. Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage, and carry them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels -- otherwise they may not make it through airport security. Visitors from outside the U.S. should carry generic names of prescription drugs. For U.S. travelers, most reliable healthcare plans provide coverage if you get sick away from home. Foreign visitors may have to pay all medical costs up front and be reimbursed later.

Safety

Oregon's tourist spots are generally safe. Portland is a relatively safe city, but you should take some precautions.

As a general precaution, avoid deserted areas, especially at night, and don't go into public parks at night. In theaters, restaurants, and other public places, keep your possessions in sight. If you plan to go hiking or participate in outdoor activities, don't leave anything valuable in your car. Park in well-lit, busy areas whenever possible.

Getting There

Portland is the gateway to Oregon. In addition, driving directions throughout this book often use Portland as a reference point, assuming that the traveler will be flying into Portland and then driving to their destination.

By Plane

Portland International Airport (PDX) is Oregon's biggest and busiest airport and is served by most major national and many international airlines. For most people visiting Oregon, this should be the airport of choice. However, if you are heading to the central or southern Oregon coast, you might consider flying into either the Eugene Airport (EUG), which is served by Allegiant Air, Delta Connection, Horizon Air, and United Express. If you are headed to Bend or Sunriver, flying into Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) might work for you. This airport is served by Allegiant Air, Horizon Air, and SkyWest Airlines (United Express and Delta Airlines). If you are headed to Ashland for some Shakespeare, you could consider the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR), which is served by Allegiant Air, Horizon Air, and Skywest Airlines (Delta Connection and United Express).

By Car

The distance to Portland from Seattle is 175 miles; from Spokane, 350 miles; from Vancouver, British Columbia, 285 miles; from San Francisco, 640 miles; and from Los Angeles, 1,015 miles.

If you're driving from California, I-5 runs up through the length of the state and continues north toward the Canadian border; it passes through the heart of Portland. If you're coming from the east, I-84 runs from Idaho and points east into Oregon, eventually ending in Portland.

Major rental-car companies with offices in Oregon include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. All the major car-rental companies have offices in Portland at or near Portland International Airport.

Rates for rental cars vary considerably among companies and with the model you want to rent, the dates you rent, and your pickup and drop-off points. If you contact the same company three times and ask about renting the same model car, you may get three different quotes, depending on current availability of vehicles. It pays to shop early and ask lots of questions. At press time, weekly rates for a compact car in July (high-season rates) were running around $260 ($335 with taxes). Expect lower rates in the rainy months.

One of the most important benefits of belonging to the American Automobile Association (tel. 800/222-4357; www.aaa.com) is that they supply members with emergency road service. In Portland, AAA is located at 600 SW Market St. (tel. 800/452-1643 or 503/222-6734; www.aaaorid.com).

Be aware that few car-rental agencies rent to drivers under the age of 25. Enterprise and Hertz will both rent to younger drivers, but there is an additional daily charge. International visitors should note that insurance and taxes are almost never included in quoted rental car rates in the U.S. Be sure to ask your rental agency about additional fees for these. They can add a significant cost to your car rental.

By Train

Amtrak's (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) Coast Starlight train connects Portland with Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and stops at historic Union Station, 800 NW Sixth Ave. (tel. 503/273-4860), about 10 blocks from the heart of downtown Portland. Between Portland and Seattle there are both regular trains and modern European-style Talgo trains, which make the trip in 3 1/2 to 4 hours versus 4 1/2 hours for the regular train. On either type of train, one-way fares between Seattle and Portland are usually around $28. The Talgo train, called Cascades, runs between Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Staying Connected

Many convenience stores and packaging services sell prepaid calling cards in denominations up to $50; for international visitors these can be the least expensive way to call home. Many public pay phones at airports now accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards. Local calls made from pay phones in most locales usually cost 50¢. Most long-distance and international calls can be dialed directly from any phone. For calls within the United States and to Canada, dial 1 followed by the area code and the seven-digit number. For other international calls, dial 011 followed by the country code, city code, and the number you are calling.

Calls to area codes 800, 888, 877, and 866 are toll-free. However, calls to area codes 700 and 900 (chat lines, bulletin boards, "dating" services, and so on) can be very expensive -- usually a charge of 95¢ to $3 or more per minute, and they sometimes have minimum charges that can run as high as $15 or more.

For reversed-charge or collect calls, and for person-to-person calls, dial the number 0 then the area code and number; an operator will come on the line, and you should specify whether you are calling collect, person-to-person, or both. If your operator-assisted call is international, ask for the overseas operator.

For local directory assistance ("information"), dial 411; for long-distance information, dial 1, then the appropriate area code and 555-1212.

Cellphones

Just because your cellphone works at home doesn't mean it'll work everywhere in the U.S. (thanks to our nation's fragmented cellphone system). It's a good bet that your phone will work in Oregon's major cities, but take a look at your wireless company's coverage map on its website before heading out; T-Mobile, Sprint, and Nextel are particularly weak in rural areas. Verizon and AT&T seem to provide the best coverage around Oregon, but once you leave the I-5 and I-84 corridors, service can get spotty, especially in the mountains and in eastern Oregon. (To see where GSM phones work in the U.S., check out www.t-mobile.com/coverage.)

You can rent a cellphone from Roberts rent-a-phone (tel. 800/964-2468; www.roberts-rent-a-phone.com).

Internet & E-Mail

With Your Own Computer -- More and more hotels, resorts, airports, cafes, and retailers throughout Oregon are offering Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), "hot spots" with high-speed Wi-Fi access for free or for a small usage fee. Wi-Fi is even found in some of the state's campgrounds, RV parks, and even entire towns. Most laptops sold today have built-in wireless capability. To find public Wi-Fi hot spots at your destination, go to www.jiwire.com; its Wi-Fi Finder holds the world's largest directory of public wireless hot spots.

For dial-up access, most business-class hotels in the U.S. offer dataports for laptop modems, and many hotels in the U.S. now also offer free high-speed Internet access.

Wherever you go, bring a connection kit of the right power and phone adapters, a spare phone cord, and a spare Ethernet network cable -- or find out whether your hotel supplies them to guests.

Without Your Own Computer -- Most major airports have Internet kiosks that provide basic Internet access for a per-minute fee that's usually higher than cybercafe prices. Also check out copy shops like FedEx Office, which offers computer stations with fully loaded software (as well as Wi-Fi). Public libraries are also good places to get online.

For help locating cybercafes and other establishments where you can go for Internet access, visit www.cybercaptive.com and www.cybercafe.com.

Entry Requirements & Customs

Passports

Virtually every air traveler entering the U.S. is required to show a passport. All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport. U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the U. S. at land and sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will need to present government-issued proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, along with a government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. A passport is not required for U.S. or Canadian citizens entering by land or sea, but it is highly encouraged that they carry one.

For information, please contact the following agencies:

For Residents of Australia -- Contact the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada -- Contact the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Gatineau, QC K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).

For Residents of Ireland -- Contact the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie).

For Residents of New Zealand -- Contact the Passports Office (tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100; www.dia.govt.nz).

For Residents of the United Kingdom -- Visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency, or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service (tel. 0870/521-0410; www.ips.gov.uk).

For Residents of the United States -- To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free number (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information.

Visas

The U.S. State Department has a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allowing citizens of the following countries to enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Citizens of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Republic of Korea, and Slovakia are soon to be admitted to the VWP. (Note: This list was accurate at press time; for the most up-to-date list of countries in the VWP, consult http://travel.state.gov/visa.) Even though a visa isn't necessary, in an effort to help U.S. officials check travelers against terror watch lists before they arrive at U.S. borders, visitors from VWP countries must register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a plane or a boat to the U.S. Travelers will complete an electronic application providing basic personal and travel-eligibility information. The Department of Homeland Security recommends filling out the form at least 3 days before traveling. Authorizations will be valid for up to 2 years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first. Currently, there is no fee for the online application. Note: Any passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, by a VWP country must be an e-Passport for VWP travelers to be eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa. Citizens of these nations also need to present a round-trip air or cruise ticket upon arrival. E-Passports contain computer chips capable of storing biometric information, such as the required digital photograph of the holder. If your passport doesn't have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if it is a valid passport issued before October 26, 2005, and includes a machine-readable zone, or between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, and includes a digital photograph. For more information, go to http://travel.state.gov/visa. Canadian citizens may enter the United States without visas; they will need to show passports (if traveling by air) and proof of residence, however.

Citizens of all other countries must have (1) a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later than the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S., and (2) a tourist visa.

For information about U.S. visas, go to http://travel.state.gov and click on "Visas." Or go to one of the following websites:

Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (tel. 02/6214-5600), or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission's website at http://canberra.usembassy.gov.

British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line (tel. 0891/200-290) or by visiting the "Visas to the U.S." section of the American Embassy London's website at www.usembassy.org.uk.

Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the Embassy of the USA Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Dublin 4 (tel. 353/1-668-8777), or by checking the "Visas" section of the website at http://dublin.usembassy.gov.

Citizens of New Zealand can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy New Zealand, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (tel. 644/462-6000), or get the information directly from the website at http://newzealand.usembassy.gov.

Customs

What You Can Bring into the U.S. -- Every visitor more than 21 years of age may bring in, free of duty, the following: (1) 1 liter of wine or hard liquor; (2) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts. These exemptions are offered to travelers who spend at least 72 hours in the United States and who have not claimed them within the preceding 6 months. It is forbidden to bring into the country almost any meat products (including canned, fresh, and dried meat products such as buillion, soup mixes, and so on). Generally, condiments including vinegars, oils, spices, coffee, tea, and some cheeses and baked goods are permitted. Avoid rice products, as rice can often harbor insects. Bringing fruits and vegetables is not advised, though not prohibited. Customs will allow produce depending on where you got it and where you're going after you arrive in the U.S. International visitors may carry in or out up to $10,000 in U.S. or foreign currency with no formalities; larger sums must be declared to U.S. Customs on entering or leaving, which includes filing form CM 4790. For details regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection, consult your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or U.S. Customs (www.customs.gov).

What You Can Take Home from Oregon -- For information on what you're allowed to bring home, contact one of the following agencies:

U.S. Citizens: U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 877/227-5511; www.cbp.gov).

Canadian Citizens: Canada Border Services Agency (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).

U.K. Citizens: HM Customs & Excise at tel. 0845/010-9000 (from outside the U.K., 020/8929-0152), or consult their website at www.hmrc.gov.uk.

Australian Citizens: Australian Customs Service at tel. 1300/363-263, or log on to www.customs.gov.au.

New Zealand Citizens: New Zealand Customs, The Customhouse, 17-21 Whitmore St., Box 2218, Wellington (tel. 04/473-6099 or 0800/428-786; www.customs.govt.nz).

Medical Requirements

Unless you're arriving from an area known to be suffering from an epidemic (particularly cholera or yellow fever), inoculations or vaccinations are not required for entry into the United States.

Tips for Senior Travelers

Don't be shy about asking for discounts, but always carry some kind of identification, such as a driver's license, that shows your date of birth -- especially if you've kept your youthful glow. In Portland most attractions, theaters, and tour companies offer senior discounts. These can add up to substantial savings, but you have to remember to ask.

The U.S. National Park Service offers an America the Beautiful-National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Pass-Senior Pass (formerly the Golden Age Passport), which gives seniors 62 years and older lifetime entrance to all properties administered by the National Park Service -- national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges -- for a one-time processing fee of $10. The pass must be purchased in person at any NPS facility that charges an entrance fee. Besides free entry, the America the Beautiful Senior Pass also offers a 50% discount on some federal-use fees charged for such facilities as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm or call the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which issues the passes, at tel. 888/275-8747.

Exploritas (tel. 800/454-5768; www.exploritas.com), formerly known as Elderhostel, has long specialized in learning vacations for seniors. Under its new name it is open to anyone 21 and older, but it still knows how to cater to seniors. Lots of Oregon tours are available.

Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

Sustainable tourism is conscientious travel. It means being careful with the environments you explore and respecting the communities you visit. Two overlapping components of sustainable travel are ecotourism and ethical tourism. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. TIES suggests that ecotourists follow these principles:

• Minimize environmental impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation and for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates.
• Support international human rights and labor agreements.

Oregon has long had a big reputation for being environmentally aware and eco-friendly, and today many businesses throughout the state are doing what they can to become more sustainable.

Many restaurants around the state have adopted the mantra of "fresh, local, organic," and with the incomparable bounties of the Willamette Valley and Oregon coast close at hand, it is very easy to adhere to these tenets of sustainability. Wild salmon? No problem. Organic wine? Got it. Throughout this book I have made a point of highlighting restaurants that are doing their part for the environment. Check restaurant websites when you're planning your trip, and you'll likely find that other Oregon restaurants are also emphasizing sustainability.

Even bed-and-breakfast inns and major hotel chains are going green. The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild (www.obbg.org) has a green certification program. Major chains doing their part to become more sustainable include Starwood (Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin), Kimpton, and Hilton.

If you rent a car from Alamo, Enterprise, or National, you can opt to pay a small additional amount to offset carbon dioxide emissions. You can also choose to rent a hybrid from Enterprise and other rental car companies.

Of course, it's hard to get greener than by riding a bike, but if you're headed out on an organized bike tour, you'll still have a sag wagon. At Escape Adventures (tel. 800/596-2953; www.escapeadventures.com), which offers both road and mountain-bike tours in Oregon, sag wagons are fueled by used cooking oil in an effort to be as carbon-neutral as possible. In Bend, Oregon's Wanderlust Tours offers great adventure tours in central Oregon and also does a great deal to be sustainable, including dedicating $1 of each tour to planting trees for the purpose of carbon sequestration.

Riding a bike in Oregon isn't just about touring the coast or bombing down mountain single-track. Portland is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the U.S., so if you want to try going carless, this is a great city to give it a try. Currently, downtown Portland's Hotel Monaco even offers a "Carless Vacation" package. You can also just rent a bike and head out on your own. The city has a well-marked network of bike routes, including special bike lanes downtown. Of course, if you're not a cyclist, Portland also has a great public transit system that includes light rail, street cars, buses, and even an aerial tram.

Even wineries and vineyards in Oregon are doing their part to help the environment. More and more vineyards are choosing to grow their grapes organically or biodynamically, while others, by reducing runoff and erosion and otherwise improving salmon habitats in streams adjacent to vineyards, have received "Salmon Safe" certification from the organization Salmon-Safe (tel. 503/232-3750; www.salmonsafe.org). Many of the newer large wineries in the state are now using photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, and a number of them -- including the Carlton Winemakers Studio, Stoller Vineyards, and Sokol Blosser Winery -- have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Association.

Because the citizens of Corvallis, a college town 80 miles south of Portland, buy so much alternative energy, the city has been voted the nation's top Green Power Community by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many hotels in Corvallis even offer a 15% discount on room rates if you drive a hybrid, alternate-fuel, or zero-emission vehicle on your visit to town.

For information on volunteer vacation opportunities and other special-interest trips, see "Special Interest Trips," below.

General Resources for Green Travel

In addition to the resources for Oregon listed above, the following websites provide valuable wide-ranging information on sustainable travel. For a list of even more sustainable resources, as well as tips and explanations on how to travel greener, visit www.frommers.com/planning.

• Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices and manages an extensive directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world.

• In the U.K., Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk) works to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO; www.aito.co.uk) is a group of specialist operators leading the field in making holidays sustainable.

• In Canada, Green Living (www.greenlivingonline.com) offers extensive content on how to travel sustainably, including a travel and transport section and profiles of the best green shops and services in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.

• In Australia, the national body that sets guidelines and standards for ecotourism is Ecotourism Australia (www.ecotourism.org.au). The Green Directory (www.thegreendirectory.com.au), Green Pages (www.thegreenpages.com.au), and EcoDirectory (www.ecodirectory.com.au) offer sustainable travel tips and directories of green businesses.

• Carbonfund (www.carbonfund.org) and TerraPass (www.terrapass.org) provide info on "carbon offsetting," or offsetting the greenhouse gas emitted during flights.

• Green Hotels Association (www.greenhotels.com) recommends green-rated member hotels around the world that fulfill the company's stringent environmental requirements. Environmentally Friendly Hotels (www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com) offers more green accommodation ratings. The Hotel Association of Canada has a Green Key Eco-Rating Program (www.greenkeyglobal.com), which audits the environmental performance of Canadian hotels, motels, and resorts.

• Sustain Lane (www.sustainlane.com) lists sustainable eating and drinking choices around the U.S.; also visit www.eatwellguide.org for tips on eating sustainably in the U.S. and Canada.

• For information on animal-friendly issues throughout the world, visit Tread Lightly (www.treadlightly.org). For information about the ethics of swimming with dolphins, visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (www.wdcs.org).

• Volunteer International (www.volunteerinternational.com) has a list of questions to help you determine the intentions and the nature of a volunteer program. For general info on volunteer travel, visit www.volunteerabroad.org and www.idealist.org.

Special-Interest Vacations

Academic Trips

If your personal interests run to art or the environment, be sure to check the calendar for seminars and classes offered by the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, P.O. Box 65, Otis, OR 97368 (tel. 541/994-5485; www.sitkacenter.org), which is located on the northern Oregon coast on the slopes of rugged Cascade Head. The center runs classes and workshops on writing, painting, ecology, ceramics, and other topics.

Wellness Trips

If you're looking for someplace in Oregon to do a spiritual retreat, check the calendar at Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center (tel. 503/854-3320; www.breitenbush.com), a new-age center in the Oregon Cascades. Programs in meditation, Native American drumming, and tai chi are also offered on the southern Oregon coast at WildSpring Guest Habitat (tel. 866/333-WILD [9453]; www.wildspring.com).

Food & Wine Trips

Several small tour companies lead tours through the Oregon wine country.

Want to turn a trip to the beach into an opportunity to learn some new cooking techniques? You can take cooking classes in Cannon Beach at EVOO, 188 S. Hemlock St. (tel. 877/436-3866 or 503/436-8555; www.evoo.biz), which offers half-day and evening classes; and in Lincoln City, at The Culinary Center, 801 SW U.S. 101, Ste. 401 (tel. 541/557-1125; www.oregoncoast.org/culinary), which has regularly scheduled half-day classes.

Volunteer & Working Trips

Want to turn your vacation into an educational experience or give a little back by volunteering? Check out the trips and classes offered by the organizations listed here.

The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the global preservation of natural diversity, and to this end it operates educational field trips and work parties to its own nature preserves. For information about field trips in Oregon, contact The Nature Conservancy, 821 SE 14th Ave., Portland, OR 97214 (tel. 503/230-1221; www.nature.org).

If you'd like to help keep Oregon beautiful and green, consider spending a day of your vacation volunteering for SOLV, 5193 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124 (tel. 800/333-SOLV [7658] or 503/844-9571; www.solv.org), which sponsors a variety of tree-planting and litter-removal programs across the state. The beach cleanups, held in both spring and fall, are among this organization's biggest events.

Calendar of Events

For an exhaustive list of events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.

February

The Portland International Film Festival, Portland. Although not one of the country's top film festivals, plenty of interesting foreign films and documentaries are shown. Screenings are held at various theaters around the city. tel. 503/221-1156; www.nwfilm.org. Last 3 weeks of February.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland. This 9-month-long repertory festival features about a dozen plays -- some by Shakespeare and others by classical and contemporary playwrights. tel. 800/219-8161 or 541/482-4331; www.osfashland.org. February through October.

Newport Seafood and Wine Festival, Newport. Taste local seafood dishes and wines while shopping for art. tel. 800/262-7844 or 541/265-8801; www.newportchamber.org. Last full weekend in February.

March

Tulip Fest, Woodburn. Bold swaths of color paint the landscape at the Wooden Shoe Bulb Company's annual celebration of tulips. tel. 800/711-2006 or 503/634-2243; www.woodenshoe.com. Late March to early May.

April

Hood River Valley Blossom Festival, Hood River. Celebrates the blossoming of the orchards outside the town of Hood River. tel. 800/366-3530 or 541/386-2000; www.hoodriver.org. Third weekend in April.

May

Mother's Day Rhododendron Show, Portland. At Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, blooming rhododendrons and azaleas transform the tranquil garden into a mass of blazing color. tel. 503/771-8386. Mother's Day.

Memorial Day Weekend in the Wine Country, throughout the wine country surrounding Portland. This is one of two weekends celebrated by Willamette Valley wineries with special tastings and events. Many wineries not usually open to the public open on this weekend. tel. 503/646-2985; www.willamettewines.com. Memorial Day weekend.

Boatnik, Grants Pass. Jet boats and hydroplanes race on the Rogue River. There's also a parade and carnival. tel. 800/547-5927; www.boatnik.com. Memorial Day weekend.

June

Sandcastle Day, Cannon Beach. Artistic sand-sculpted creations are created along the beach. tel. 503/436-2623; www.cannonbeach.org. Early June.

Sisters Rodeo and Parade, Sisters. A celebration of the West in this duded-up Western-themed town near Bend. tel. 800/827-7522 or 541/549-0121; www.sistersrodeo.com. Second weekend of June.

Portland Rose Festival, Portland. From its beginnings back in 1888, the Rose Festival has blossomed into Portland's biggest celebration. The festivities now span nearly a month and include the nation's second-largest all-floral parade, a starlight parade, rose queen contest, music festival, and dragon-boat races. tel. 503/227-2681; www.rosefestival.org. Most events (some of which are free) take place during the middle 2 weeks of June.

Britt Festivals, Jacksonville. Performing-arts festival with world-class jazz, pop, classical, folk, and country music, plus dance and musical-theater performances in a beautiful natural setting. tel. 800/882-7488 or 541/773-6077; www.brittfest.org. June through September.

Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene. One of the biggest Bach festivals in the country. Tickets go on sale in mid-January. tel. 800/457-1486 or 541/346-5666; www.oregonbachfestival.com. Late June to mid-July.

July

Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland. This is Portland's biggest summer party and takes place in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Expect lots of big names in blues. tel. 503/973-FEST [3378]; www.waterfrontbluesfest.com. Fourth of July weekend.

Oregon Country Fair, Eugene. Counterculture craft fair and festival for Deadheads young and old. tel. 541/343-4298; www.oregoncountryfair.org. Second weekend in July.

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, Sisters. During this large outdoor quilt show, the entire town gets decked out in colorful handmade quilts. tel. 541/549-0989; www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org. Second Saturday of July.

Da Vinci Days, Corvallis. Three-day celebration of science and technology with performances, art, interactive exhibits, children's activities, food, and wine. tel. 541/757-6363; www.davinci-days.org. Third weekend in July.

Oregon Brewers Festival, Portland. One of the country's largest festivals of independent craft brewers features lots of local and international microbrews and music. tel. 503/778-5917; www.oregonbrewfest.com. Last weekend in July.

August

Mount Hood Jazz Festival, Gresham (less than 30 min. from Portland). For the jazz fan, this is the most important festival of the summer. tel. 503/661-2700; www.mthoodjazz.com. Mid-August.

Oregon State Fair, Salem. A typical agricultural state fair, although with wine and home-brew competitions. tel. 800/833-0011 or 503/947-3247; www.oregonstatefair.org. The 12 days before and including Labor Day.

September

Eugene Celebration, Eugene. Street party celebrating the diversity of the community. Festivities include the crowning of the Slug Queen. tel. 541/681-4108; www.eugenecelebration.com. Early September.

Salem Art Fair & Festival, Salem. The largest juried art fair in Oregon, under the trees in Bush's Pasture Park, with musical entertainment and food booths. tel. 503/581-2228; www.salemart.org. Second weekend in September.

Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire, Kings Valley (near Corvallis). Go back 500 years to celebrate the age of Elizabeth I and Shakespeare with jousting and period costumes in an Elizabethan village. www.shrewfaire.com. Second weekend of September.

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, Mount Angel. Biergarten, Bavarian-style oompah bands, food booths. tel. 503/845-9440; www.oktoberfest.org. Second weekend after Labor Day.

Pendleton Round-Up, Pendleton. Rodeo, Native American pageant, country-music concert. tel. 800/457-6336 or 541/276-2553; www.pendletonroundup.com. Mid-September.

October

Fall Kite Festival, Lincoln City. Kite carnival including a wide and wild variety of kites, plus kite fights, kite-making demonstrations, and other activities. tel. 800/452-2151; www.oregoncoast.org. Mid-October.

Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, Hood River. Under tents set up on the waterfront, enjoy fruit products of the region, crafts, and entertainment; drive the Fruit Loop to visit farm stands and wineries. tel. 800/366-3530 or 541/386-2000; www.hoodriver.org. Third weekend in October.

November

Stormy Weather Arts Festival, Cannon Beach. Celebration of the rainy season features lots of live music, a gallery walk, and a quick-draw art event in which artists have 1 hour to paint a picture. tel. 503/436-2623; www.cannonbeach.org. First weekend in November.

Wine Country Thanksgiving, Willamette Valley. About 30 miles outside of Portland, more than 100 wineries open their doors for tastings of new releases, usually with food and live music. tel. 503/646-2985; www.willamettewines.com. Thanksgiving weekend.

Holiday Lights and Open House at Shore Acres State Park, Charleston. Extravagantly decorated gardens near dramatic cliffs at the Oregon coast. tel. 541/888-2472; www.shoreacres.net. Thanksgiving through December.

Holiday Festival of Light, Ashland. More than a million lights decorate the town. tel. 541/482-3486; www.ashlandchamber.com. Thanksgiving through December.

December

Holiday Parade of Ships, Willamette and Columbia rivers in the Portland area. Boats decked out in fanciful holiday lights parade and circle on the rivers after nightfall. www.christmasships.org. Mid-December.

Money

Frommer's lists exact prices in the local currency. However, rates fluctuate, so before departing consult a currency exchange website such as www.oanda.com/convert/classic to check up-to-the-minute rates.

The most common U.S. bills are the $1 (a "buck"), $5, $10, and $20 denominations. There are also $2 bills (seldom encountered), $50 bills, and $100 bills (the last two are usually not welcome as payment for small purchases).

Coins come in seven denominations: 1¢ (1 cent, or a penny); 5¢ (5 cents, or a nickel); 10¢ (10 cents, or a dime); 25¢ (25 cents, or a quarter); 50¢ (50 cents, or a half dollar); the gold-colored Sacagawea and presidential coins, worth $1; and the rare silver dollar.

Oregon is not yet a major international tourist destination, and while it is possible to spend $400 or more per night for a room, there are only a handful of places in the state where this is possible. For the most part, the state's top hotels have summer (high-season) room rates of around $200 or less. Compared to most major cities, downtown Portland hotels are real bargains. Even the mountain lodges, beach hotels, and golf resorts of central Oregon tend to be bargains.

Likewise, restaurants tend to be very reasonably priced. Sure, there are restaurants in Portland, Bend, and Ashland where you can spend $60 or more on dinner (not including alcohol), but such restaurants tend to be the exception. Restaurants on the Oregon coast all seem to be a bit overpriced for what you get, but what beach restaurants don't charge more than they should? Want a smokin' deal on dining out? At most of the highly acclaimed food carts of Portland, a lunch worthy of mention in national publications will run you little more than $6 or $7.

ATMs

Nationwide, the easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from an ATM (automated teller machine), sometimes referred to as a "cash machine" or "cashpoint." The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.com) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) networks span the country; you can find them even in remote regions. Go to your bank card's website to find ATM locations at your destination. Be sure you know your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. Four-digit PINs work fine in Oregon.

Note: Many banks impose a fee every time you use a card at another bank's ATM, and that fee is often higher for international transactions (up to $5 or more) than for domestic ones (where they're rarely more than $2). In addition, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee. Visitors from outside the U.S. should also find out whether their bank assesses a fee on charges incurred abroad.

In Oregon you'll find ATMs at banks in even the smallest towns. You can also usually find them at gas station minimarts, although these machines usually charge a slightly higher fee than banks. You can sometimes avoid a fee by searching out a small community bank, a savings and loan, or a credit union ATM. To avoid fees, you can also go into a grocery store, make a purchase, and ask for cash back on your debit card.

Credit Cards & Debit Cards

Credit cards are the most widely used form of payment in the U.S. It's highly recommended that you travel with at least one major credit card; options include Visa (Barclaycard in Britain), MasterCard (Eurocard in Europe, Access in Britain, Chargex in Canada), American Express, Diners Club, or Discover. MasterCard and Visa are the two most commonly accepted credit cards. You must have a credit card to rent a car, and hotels and airlines usually require a credit card imprint as a deposit against expenses.

You can withdraw cash advances from your credit cards at banks or ATMs, but high fees make credit card cash advances a pricey way to get cash. Keep in mind that you'll pay interest from the moment of your withdrawal, even if you pay your monthly bills on time. Also, note that many banks now assess a 1% to 3% "transaction fee" on all charges you incur abroad (whether you're using the local currency or your native currency).

Tips on Accommodations

From boutique hotels to B&Bs, golf resorts to mountain lodges, hipster hotels to rustic cabins, Oregon has as wide a variety of accommodations as it has landscapes. For the most part, summer is the high season in Oregon, so if you plan to visit any time between June and September, you'll be paying top dollar for your room. To save money, you'll have to put up with a little rain or snow, which isn't necessarily a reason to avoid a rainy-season Oregon vacation. Winter brings great skiing and snowboarding to the Cascades and storm watching on the coast, and in Portland, plenty of cozy cafes, bookstores, museums, and theaters will keep you busy.

It's always a good idea to make hotel reservations as soon as you know your trip dates. During the summer, Portland and the Oregon coast are particularly busy, and hotels book up well in advance -- especially on holiday and festival weekends. If you do not have reservations, it is best to look for a room in the mid-afternoon because hotels may be filled by evening. Major downtown hotels, which cater primarily to business travelers, commonly offer weekend discounts of as much as 50% to entice vacationers to fill up the empty rooms. However, resorts and hotels near tourist attractions tend to have higher rates on weekends. If you don't want to pay a premium for a downtown business hotel or an oceanfront lodge, try the budget chain motels, which are well represented throughout the state.

For information on B&Bs in Oregon, contact the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, P.O. Box 12702, Salem, OR 97309 (tel. 800/944-6196; www.obbg.org). If the great outdoors are your main interest, consider staying in a yurt, cabin, or teepee at a state park. For information, contact Oregon State Parks (tel. 800/452-5687; www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks). Also check the travel deals offered by Travel Oregon (tel. 800/547-7842; www.traveloregon.com).

When to Go

Summer is the peak season in Oregon, and during these months, hotel and car reservations are almost essential; the rest of the year, they're highly recommended, but not imperative. If you visit in one of the rainy months between October and May, expect lower hotel rates. It will also be easier to get reservations, especially on the coast. However, you will have to bring good rain gear. Whenever you go, keep in mind that you usually get better rates by reserving at least a couple of weeks in advance, whether you're booking a plane, hotel, or rental car. Summer holiday weekends are the hardest times of year to get room (and restaurant) reservations, especially on the coast. You should book months in advance for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

Though Oregon is famous for its gray skies and mild temperatures, the state is actually characterized by a diversity of climates almost unequaled in the United States. For the most part, moist winds off the Pacific Ocean keep temperatures west of the Cascade Range mild year-round. However, summers in the Willamette Valley and southern Oregon can see temperatures over 100°F (38°C), but on the coast you're likely to need a sweater or light jacket at night, even in August. The Oregon rains that are so legendary fall primarily as a light -- but almost constant -- drizzle between October and early July. Sure, there are windows of sunshine during this period, but they usually last no more than a week or so. There are also, unfortunately, occasional wet summers, so be prepared for wet weather whenever you visit. Winters usually include one or two blasts of Arctic air that bring snow and freezing weather to the Portland area (usually right around Christmas or New Year's). Expect snow in the Cascades any time during the winter, and even some Coast Range passes can get icy.

If you visit the coast, expect grayer, wetter weather than in the Portland area. It can be quite cool here in the summer and is often foggy or rainy throughout the year. In fact, when the Willamette Valley is at its hottest, in July and August, you can be sure that the coast will be fogged in. The best month for the coast is usually September, with good weather often holding on into October.

In the Cascades and eastern Oregon's Blue, Elkhorn, and Wallowa mountains, snowfall is heavy in the winter and skiing is a popular sport. Summer doesn't come until late in the year here, with snow lingering into July at higher elevations (for instance, the Timberline Lodge area at Mount Hood and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowas). At such elevations, late July through August is the best time to see wildflowers in alpine meadows.

The region east of the Cascades is characterized by lack of rain and temperature extremes. This high desert area can be very cold in the winter, and at higher elevations it receives considerable amounts of snow. In summer the weather can be blazingly hot at lower elevations, though nights are often cool enough to require a sweater or light jacket.

If you're planning to go wine touring, avoid January and February, when many wineries are closed. Also keep in mind that many wineries are open daily during the summer months, but in spring and fall are open only on weekends.

Regions in Brief

Geography and climate play important roles in dividing Oregon into its various regions.

The Willamette Valley -- This is Oregon's most densely populated region and site of the state's largest cities, including Portland, Eugene, and Salem, which is the state capital. In addition, the valley's fabled farmland grows the greatest variety of crops of any region of the United States. These include berries, hazelnuts, irises, tulips, Christmas trees, hops, mint, grass seed, and an immense variety of landscape plants. The Willamette Valley is also one of the nation's top wine regions, with vineyards up and down the length of the valley.

Summer, when farm stands pop up alongside rural highways, is by far the best time of year to visit the Willamette Valley. If you are interested in wine, though, you might also want to consider October, when vineyards pick and crush their grapes.

The Oregon Coast -- Stretching for nearly 300 miles, the Oregon coast is one of the most spectacular coastlines in the country. Backed by the densely forested mountains of the Coast Range and alternating sandy beaches with rocky headlands, this rugged shoreline provides breathtaking vistas at almost every turn of the road. Haystack rocks -- large monoliths on the beach or just offshore -- give the coast an unforgettable drama and beauty. Along the central coast, huge dunes, some as much as 500 feet tall, have been preserved as the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Small towns, some known as fishing ports and some as artists' communities, dot the coast. Unfortunately, waters are generally too cold for swimming, and a cool breeze often blows even in summer.

Of course, summer is the most popular time of year on the coast, and crowds can be daunting. In Seaside, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, and Newport, traffic backups try the patience of many vacationers. The north coast, because of its proximity to Portland, is the most visited section of the coast, and, with its headlands, coves, and haystack rocks, is also one of the most dramatic. The south coast, where giant rocks dot the beaches and rocky islands break the waves not far from shore, is even more spectacular than the north. Also because of its distance from major metropolitan areas, the south coast is not nearly as crowded as other stretches of the coast. The central coast, though it boasts the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, is less spectacular than the north and south coasts, and although it's lined with long, sandy beaches, much of this coastline is inaccessible by car.

The Columbia Gorge -- Beginning just east of Portland, the Columbia Gorge is a place of immense beauty and natural diversity. Declared a national scenic area, the Gorge is the site of numerous waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, the fourth highest in the country. As the only sea-level gap in the Cascade Range, the Gorge is also something of a wind tunnel, and the winds that regularly blast through the Gorge attract windsurfing enthusiasts from around the world. Consequently, the town of Hood River is now one of the world's top windsurfing spots. Rising above the waterfalls and basalt cliffs of the Gorge are the snowy slopes of Mount Hood.

Although the Gorge can be explored in a day or two, if you are an avid hiker or windsurfer, you might want to plan a longer visit. Spring is the best time of year to visit. March through May, countless wildflowers, some of which grow nowhere else but in the Columbia Gorge, burst into bloom, and Gorge wildflower hikes are annual rites of spring for many Oregonians.

The Cascade Range -- Stretching from the Columbia River in the north to the California state line in the south, this mountain range is a natural dividing line between eastern and western Oregon. Dominated by conical peaks of volcanic origin (all currently inactive), the Cascades are almost entirely encompassed by national forests that serve as both sources of timber and year-round recreational playgrounds. Within these mountains there are several designated wilderness areas in which all mechanized travel is prohibited. Among these, the Mount Hood Wilderness, the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, and the Three Sisters Wilderness are the most scenic. In the southern Cascades, an entire mountain once blew its top, leaving behind a huge caldera that is now filled by the sapphire-blue waters of Crater Lake, Oregon's only national park.

With little private property and few lodges other than rustic (and often run-down) cabin "resorts," the Cascades are primarily a camping destination during the warmer months. In winter several ski areas and many miles of cross-country ski trails attract skiers and snowboarders.

Southern Oregon -- Lying roughly midway between San Francisco and Portland, southern Oregon is a jumbled landscape of mountains and valleys through which flow two of the state's most famous rivers. The North Umpqua and the Rogue rivers have been fabled among anglers ever since Zane Grey popularized these waters in his writings. With a climate much drier than that of the Willamette Valley to the north, this region resembles parts of northern California. In fact, several towns in the region are very popular with retired Californians. Among these are Ashland, site of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Jacksonville, a historic gold-mining town that is the site of the Britt Festivals, an annual summer festival of music and modern dance. Also in the region are quite a few wineries that take advantage of the warm climate to produce Oregon's best cabernet sauvignon and merlot.

Although summer is the most popular time of year to visit this region, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival runs from spring through fall, which keeps Ashland busy almost year-round.

Central Oregon -- When the rain on the west side of the Cascades becomes too much to bear, many of the state's residents flee to central Oregon, the drier and sunnier side of the state. Consisting of the east side of the Cascade Range from the Columbia River to just south of Bend, the region spans the eastern foothills of the Cascades and the western edge of the Great Basin's high desert. Known primarily for its lack of rain and proximity to the cities of the Willamette Valley, central Oregon is the state's second-most-popular summer vacation destination (after the coast), with resorts clustered around Sisters and Bend. The biggest and most popular resort is Sunriver, an entire community south of Bend. A volcanic legacy has left the region with some of the most fascinating geology in the state, much of which is preserved in Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Also in this region is the High Desert Museum, a combination museum and zoo that is among the state's most popular attractions.

Although summer is the peak season here, central Oregon is also quite popular in winter -- Mount Bachelor ski area provides the best skiing in the Northwest.

Eastern Oregon -- Large and sparsely populated, eastern Oregon is primarily high desert interspersed with small mountain ranges. Despite the desert climate, the region is also the site of several large shallow lakes that serve as magnets for a wide variety of migratory birds. In the northeast corner of the region rise the Blue, Elkhorn, and Wallowa mountains, which are remote, though popular, recreation areas. Partially forming the border with Idaho is the Snake River and Hells Canyon, North America's deepest gorge. Throughout this region, signs of the Oregon Trail can still be seen.

Because this region is so remote from Portland and the Willamette Valley, it is little visited. However, the breathtaking Wallowa Mountains offer some of the finest backpacking in the state. The towns of Joseph and Enterprise, on the north side of these mountains, are also home to several bronze foundries.

Getting Around

By Plane

Although there are airports with regular commercial service in Redmond, Eugene, and Medford, flying isn't usually a very appropriate way to get around Oregon.

Some large airlines offer transatlantic or transpacific passengers special discount tickets under the name Visit USA, which allows mostly one-way travel from one U.S. destination to another at very low prices. Unavailable in the U.S., these discount tickets must be purchased abroad in conjunction with your international fare. This system is the easiest, fastest, cheapest way to see the country.

By Car

A car is by far the best way to see Oregon. There just isn't any other way to get to the more remote natural spectacles or to fully appreciate such regions as the Oregon coast or eastern Oregon.

It takes about 1 1/2 hours to drive from Portland to Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast; from Portland to Mount Hood, about 1 hour; and from Portland to Bend, about 3 hours. Portland to Seattle is about a 3 1/2-hour trip, depending on traffic.

Maps are available at most highway tourist information centers and at gas stations throughout the region. For a map of Oregon, contact the Oregon Tourism Commission (tel. 800/547-7842; www.traveloregon.com). Members of AAA can get detailed road maps of Oregon by calling their local AAA office.

You may turn right on a red light after a full stop, and if you are in the far-left lane of a one-way street, you may turn left into the adjacent left lane of a one-way street at a red light after a full stop. Everyone in a moving vehicle is required to wear a seat belt.

Oregon is an anachronism when it comes to gas stations; there are no self-service gas stations in the state. So when you pull into a gas station, just sit back and let the attendant fill your tank. Also, keep in mind that Oregon is a big state, so keep your gas tank as full as possible when traveling in the mountains or on the sparsely populated east side of the Cascades.

In the event of a breakdown, stay with your car, lift the hood, turn on your emergency flashers, and wait for a police patrol car. Do not leave your vehicle.

If you're visiting from abroad and plan to rent a car in the United States, keep in mind that foreign driver's licenses are usually recognized in the U.S., but you may want to consider obtaining an international driver's license.

By Train

International visitors can buy a USA Rail Pass, good for 15, 30, or 45 days of unlimited travel on Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL [872-7245]; www.amtrak.com). The pass is available online or through many overseas travel agents. Visit Amtrak's website for the cost of travel within the western, eastern, or northwestern United States. Reservations are generally required and should be made as early as possible. Regional rail passes are also available.

By Bus

Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) is the sole nationwide bus line. International visitors can obtain information about the Greyhound North American Discovery Pass. The pass, which offers unlimited travel and stopovers in the U.S. and Canada, can be obtained from foreign travel agents or through www.discoverypass.com.

By Recreational Vehicle (RV)

An economical way to tour Oregon is with a recreational vehicle. If you're considering renting an RV, look under "Recreational Vehicles -- Rent and Lease" in the Yellow Pages of your local phone book. They can be rented for a weekend, a week, or longer. In Portland you might try Cruise America, 8400 SE 82nd Ave. (tel. 800/671-8042 or 503/777-9833; www.cruiseamerica.com). If you're going to be traveling in the peak season of summer, it's important to make reservations for your RV at least 2 months ahead of time. The rest of the year, a couple of weeks' lead time is usually sufficient.

Fast Facts

Area Codes -- Oregon has three area codes. In the Portland area, where 10-digit dialing is required for local calls, 503 is the main area code. However, you may occasionally encounter the 971 area code. Outside of the northwest corner of the state (roughly Mount Hood and Portland to the coast and south to Salem), the area code is 541.

Automobile Organizations -- Motor clubs will supply maps, suggested routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency road service. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the major auto club in the United States. If you belong to a motor club in your home country, inquire about AAA reciprocity before you leave. You may be able to join AAA even if you're not a member of a reciprocal club. For membership information or for emergency road service, call AAA (tel. 800/222-4357; www.aaa.com).

Business Hours -- The following are general hours; specific establishments' hours may vary. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm (some also Sat 9am-noon). Stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from noon to 5pm (malls usually stay open Mon-Sat until 9pm). Bars are legally allowed to be open until 2am.

Drinking Laws -- The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out. Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the spot. Don't even think about driving while intoxicated.

Aside from on-premises sales of cocktails in bars and restaurants, hard liquor can be purchased only in liquor stores. Beer and wine are available in convenience stores and grocery stores. Brewpubs tend to sell only beer and wine, but some also have licenses to sell hard liquor.

Electricity -- Like Canada, the United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring one with you.

Embassies & Consulates -- All embassies are located in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are located in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn't listed below, call for directory information in Washington, D.C. (tel. 202/555-1212), or check www.embassy.org/embassies.

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202/797-3000; www.usa.embassy.gov.au).

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202/682-1740; www.canadianembassy.org). Other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (New York), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/462-3939; www.embassyofireland.org). Other Irish consulates are in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities.

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/328-4800; www.nzembassy.com). Other New Zealand consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/588-6500; http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk). Other British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Emergencies -- Call tel. 911 to report a fire, call the police, or get an ambulance anywhere in the U.S. This is a toll-free call. (No coins are required at public telephones.)

Gasoline (Petrol) -- At press time, in the U.S., the cost of gasoline (also known as gas, but never petrol) was running close to $3 per gallon in most places. Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons. Fill-up locations are primarily known as gas stations.

Holidays -- Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans' Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal-government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years, and next in 2012).

Insurance -- For information on traveler's insurance, trip cancelation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling, please visit www.frommers.com/planning.

Internet Access -- Nearly anywhere you go in Oregon, even in small towns, you can find some way to connect to the Internet. Among the more common places to get access to the Internet are cybercafes, public libraries, and in hotel lobbies, where computers are often available for guests' use.

Legal Aid -- If you are "pulled over" for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. Here the burden is on the state to prove a person's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. International visitors should call your embassy or consulate.

Mail -- At press time, domestic postage rates were 28¢ for a postcard and 44¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 98¢ (75¢ to Canada and 79¢ to Mexico); a first-class postcard costs the same as a letter. For more information, go to www.usps.com.

If you aren't sure what your address will be in the United States, mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call tel. 800/275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up the mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver's license, passport, and so on). Most post offices will hold your mail for up to 1 month and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Always include zip codes when mailing items in the U.S. If you don't know your zip code, visit http://zip4.usps.com.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The Oregonian is the Portland daily paper and is available throughout most of the state. Portland Monthly is a good lifestyle monthly that offers plenty of coverage of what's hot in Portland. Oregon Coast magazine is another publication worth picking up.

Police -- Call tel. 911 for emergencies. If 911 doesn't work, dial 0 (zero) for the operator and state your reason for calling.

Smoking -- Smoking is prohibited in restaurants and bars in Oregon.

Taxes -- The United States has no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect tax at the national level. Every state, county, and city may levy its own local tax on all purchases, including hotel and restaurant checks and airline tickets. These taxes will not appear on price tags. Luckily for anyone visiting Oregon, this state is a shopper's paradise -- there's no sales tax. However, you may have to pay taxes on a rental car or hotel room (even some campgrounds charge a "bed tax").

Time -- The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. Oregon, for the most part, is in Pacific Standard Time. For example, when it's 9am in Portland (PST), it's 7am in Honolulu (HST), 10am in Denver (MST), 11am in Chicago (CST), noon in New York City (EST), 5pm in London (GMT), and 2am the next day in Sydney.

Daylight saving time is in effect from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time.

Tipping -- In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you've left a disaster area for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff and bartenders 15% to 20% of the check, tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.

As for other service personnel, tip cab drivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

Toilets -- You won't find public toilets or "restrooms" on the streets in most U.S. cities, but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.

Visitor Information -- Contact Travel Oregon (tel. 800/547-7842; www.traveloregon.com) or Travel Portland, 1000 SW Broadway, Ste. 2300, Portland, OR 97205 (tel. 877/678-5263 or 503/275-8355; www.travelportland.com).

Most cities and towns in Oregon have either a tourist office or a chamber of commerce that provides information. When approaching cities and towns, watch for signs along the highway directing you to these information centers.

For Oregon regional websites, try the Oregon Tourism Commission's website at www.traveloregon.com, where you can also check out blog postings. Learn about local Oregon news, sports, and entertainment at www.oregonlive.com, the Oregonian newspaper's website. This latter website also has lots of great blogs. My favorites are "The Beer Here," "Wine Bytes," "Travels with Terry," and "Foods Don't Lie." For general Oregon travel blogs, visit www.travelblog.org.

To get information on outdoor recreation in Oregon's national forests, contact the Nature of the Northwest Information Center, 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 965, Portland, OR 97232 (tel. 971/673-2331; www.naturenw.org). For information on Crater Lake, contact Crater Lake National Park, P.O. Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604 (tel. 541/594-3000; www.nps.gov/crla).

For information on camping in Oregon state parks, contact the Oregon State Park Information Center, 725 Summer St. NE, Ste. C, Salem, OR 97301 (tel. 800/551-6949 or 503/986-0707; www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks).

Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling in the U.S. Thanks to provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act, most public places are required to comply with disability-friendly regulations. Almost all public establishments (including hotels, restaurants, museums, and such, but not including certain National Historic Landmarks) and at least some modes of public transportation provide accessible entrances and other facilities for those with disabilities.

The America the Beautiful-National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Pass-Access Pass (formerly the Golden Access Passport) gives travelers with visual impairments or those with permanent disabilities (regardless of age) free lifetime entrance to federal recreation sites administered by the National Park Service, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation. This may include national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges.

The America the Beautiful Access Pass can be obtained only in person at any NPS facility that charges an entrance fee. You need to show proof of medically determined disability. Besides free entry, the pass also offers a 50% discount on some federal-use fees charged for such facilities as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm or call the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which issues the passes, at tel. 888/275-8747.

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

Oregon cities such as Portland and Eugene are notoriously liberal, and gay and lesbian travelers will generally feel very welcome in these cities. In Portland be sure to pick up a free copy of Just Out (tel. 503/236-1252; www.justout.com), a bimonthly newspaper for the gay community. You can usually find copies at Powell's Books, 1005 W. Burnside St. Another publication to look for is Portland's Gay & Lesbian Community Yellow Pages (tel. 503/230-7701; www.pdxgayyellowpages.com), which is also usually available at Powell's.

For a list of gay-friendly accommodations in the Portland area, go to the Purple Roofs website (www.purpleroofs.com).