10 tempting, crazy Oregon getaways when you’re ready to get out there

When you feel it’s time to venture from home, you don’t have to go too far to find adventure. Oregon has an amazing collection of eclectic places to stay, from the coast to the Wallowa Mountains, tiny Tiller to populated Portland, a beach cottage to a cabin. And then there are some weird rentals in alluring locations.

Here are 10 tempting Oregon places to get away:

Lookout tower near the Umpqua National Forest: The elevated home, modeled after fire lookout towers built by the U.S. Forest Service in the early 1900s, rises three stories from a meadow on 160 acres of private land surrounded by the Umpqua National Forest.

Summit Prairie is off-the-grid but filled with modern essentials. A full kitchen has hot and cold running water, a propane stove and refrigerator. There are comfortable beds in the cupola and on the main floor, which has windows on all sides.

Crater Lake is a two-hour drive while Ashland and historic Jacksonville are 1.5 hours away. Or just daydream in the hammocks down the hill and soak in the wood-fired, spring-fed hot tub.

Read Sky-high rental: Cool fire lookout tower in tiny Tiller

Details:

• Accommodates four guests

• One bedroom

• One bathroom

• Around $175 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Zen Loft in Southeast Portland’s Restaurant Row: The modern loft was created in a converted two-car garage by the small space specialists at Portland’s Zenbox Design. Everything in the home is handmade, from the steel and reclaimed wood cabinets to the barstools and art on the walls. An accordion door system slides completely away to provide a 16 foot opening with no division between inside and outside.

There are new stainless-steel and chef-quality appliances and an island range. Read See homes that used to be garages: Portland accessory dwelling unit tour

Details:

• Accommodates two guests

• Studio

• One bathroom

• Around $95 a night on average, depending on travel dates

The Church in Bend: The once-vibrant 1923 Alliance Tabernacle Church has lost its congregation in the 1970s and the building fell into disrepair until 2014 when the current owners began the process of restoring the building to its original condition under the supervision of the Historic Landmark Commission.

The Sanctuary was preserved as a large, open space with modern cherry cabinets, Caesarstone counters, gas range and high-end appliances. There is a separate laundry room/mud room for storing gear. The yard is large, private and enclosed with a propane barbecue. Read Bend visitors can stay in a vaulted, historic church that’s now a vacation rental

Details:

• Accommodates eight guests

• Three bedrooms and two sleeping lofts

• Three bathrooms

• Around $500 a night on average, depending on travel dates

The Bunkhouse, A Romantic Riverside Get-A-Away for Two in Joseph: The suite has a private entrance, bathroom with a rain shower head and a private deck overlooking the Wallowa River. It is two minutes from the town of Joseph’s main street and five minutes from the Wallowa Lake.

Details:

• Accommodates two guests

• One bedroom

• One bathroom

• Around $155 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Caldera Lodge on the Pond in Sunriver: This 5,000-square-foot home on the edge of Fireglass Pond has a gourmet kitchen, private hot tub and access to a shared pool and tennis courts.

Sunriver Resort and Mount Bachelor are a short drive from the rental home.

Details:

• Accommodates 16 guests

• Six bedrooms

• 6.5 bathrooms

• Around $354-$2,723 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Yurt Glamping on a Historic Oregon Vineyard: The private room has a turntable and classic vinyl collection, kitchenette and bathroom with a shower. There’s an outdoor fire pit. Drive, bike or walk to wineries, restaurants and the beautiful Umpqua River.

Details:

• Accommodates four guests

• One bedroom

• One bathroom

• Around $110 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Forest Ridge Retreat in Coos Bay: The modern home has floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views from the patio. It is six miles from downtown Coos Bay, about 12 miles to the beach access at Shore Acres State Park and near destinations for fishing, crabbing, clamming, whale watching and beach fun.

Details:

• Accommodates four guests

• One bedroom plus loft

• Two bathrooms

• Around $88-$387 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Mount Hood View Tiny House: The compact, secluded home is on 23 private acres and about a mile from Hwy. 26 within Sandy’s city limits. The home was designed around a moving window wall system that completely opens to the outdoors, allowing for one of the best views of Mount Hood. Natural cedar siding, reclaimed hardwood floors and doors, live-edge counters and beautiful craftsmanship evoke the allure of a mountain cabin.

Details:

• Accommodates two guests

• One bedroom

• One bathroom

• Around $115 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Snowed Inn in Government Camp: This luxurious mountain chalet has a warm rustic decor, vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, high-end furnishings plus a private hot tub and covered patio area with its own wood-burning fireplace.

The home is just a half-mile walk or drive from the Mt. Hood Skibowl and Adventure Park, a zip line, mountain biking and mini-golf.

Details:

• Accommodates 12 guests

• Four bedrooms

• 4.5 bathrooms

• Around $124-$1,203 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Westerlook Farms in Carlton: The 3,000-square-foot guest house sits near an oak grove on the historic, 47-acre Westerlook Farms estate blocks from downtown Carlton.

Details:

• Accommodates six guests

• Three bedrooms

• Three bathrooms

• Around $536 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Read Short-term Airbnb rentals stretch to a month and daily rates drop

Looking for more getaway ideas?

10 cozy, cool, crazy cabin vacation getaways: Escape to Oregon mountains and lakes or the California desert

The need to be in nature may be strong, but there are so many ways to relax amid towering trees in the mountains or next to a lake.

In this week's vacation getaway roundup, we look at cabins of all kinds, from a classic A-frame in a forest to a modern dwelling in the desert.

Rustic or luxury? Cozy or expansive? It’s up to you to decide: Are you dreaming of a romantic escape or group reunion?

Escape to one of Oregon’s wacky, funky, adorable getaways for rent like this quaint, solar-powered cabin near Vancouver.

Getaways mean more than staying in a different shelter. Vacations are supposed to be physical and mental escapes from real life.

If you truly want an experience that's unlike the place you lay your head, check out Oregon's wacky, funky, adorable lodging, from a Swiss Family Robinson luxury tree resort to an off-the-grid yurt.

How about sleeping in a teepee on a yak ranch in Bend?

In this week’s home stay gallery, we check out 10 oddball abodes that you can check into.

Are you ready to escape to a scenic spot near mineral hot springs? Oregon has an abundance of natural hot springs, some easily accessible, others completely remote, reports Oregonian/OregonLive’s travel writer Jamie Hale, who compiled a list of day-use springs.

Relax in a pool bubbling with geothermal energy, but play it safe by staying hydrated, cooling down and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

In this week’s getaway gallery, we look at places to soak in nature here and beyond state boundaries. The vacation stays may be a long scenic drive away from a hidden hot springs, but that’s part of the adventure.

Rent oddball RVs, sleek Airstreams, colorful camper vans, teardrop trailers a la Airbnb: A long holiday weekend may inspire a road trip. You can ride your own wheels or rent a roomy RV, sleek Airstream or colorful camper van, through a company or private owner, a la Airbnb,

In this week's getaway gallery, we look at personalized mobile homes that are kitschy, cute or cool.

Ready to elope? Tiny Weddings on Wheels let couples get hitched anywhere

Brides and grooms who can’t enjoy a traditional matrimony celebration due to the coronavirus find a fun, "minimony" alternative.

RVs are in Oregon’s DNA. Wally Byam, who founded Airstream in in 1931, was born in Baker City. Holiday House modern travel trailers were dreamed up by Medford’s David Holmes of Harry & David fruit basket fame. The canned ham-shape Alohas started in -- you guessed it -- Aloha and Timberlines hailed from Sandy

Whatever you’re steering, we hope you have a memorable journey.

10 cool treehouses: These elevated vacation getaways are for rent Do we really ever grow out of wanting a treehouse? A vacation rental might answer that question.

In this week's getaway roundup, we look at 10 vacation rentals, near and far, designed to elevate your point of view.

These modern dwellings in mostly remote forests are perfect perches for birdwatchers and nature lovers, but they're not always easy to reach. They're rustic and may offer waterfront views but not indoor running water.

What unifies them? They’re cozy.

10 accessible Airbnb rentals in Portland, Palm Springs and London: Srin Madipalli is a devoted world traveler who uses a wheelchair. To make it easier to find accessible lodging when booking online, he co-created Accomable, an online resource that was acquired by Airbnb in 2017.

Since then, Madipalli, who heads Airbnb’s accessibility team, has refined the homestay rental company’s search filters to help people with disabilities and their families find places that can be easily enjoyed without steps or stairs, and other accommodations.

“No two people with a disability are the same, so we offer 27 accessibility filters for a spectrum of needs, and we’re working on more,” says Madipalli.

Portland high-rise apartments can be rented by the day: The owners of some high-end Portland apartment buildings allow units that are not yet leased to be rented through short-term vacation stay sites like Stay Alfred and Portland-based Vacasa.

While the neighbors have settled in for the long haul, with year-long contracts and a key to a mailbox, short-timers are using lockboxes or concierge desks to check in for day or two.

The fee for a furnished apartment, which can be $80 to more than $1,000 a night, includes a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and housekeeping services.

Online travel agencies comply with permits, pay lodging taxes and in some buildings, contact customers disturbing the peace.

Bend ranks 4th in U.S. as a vacation rental hot spot. Here are 10 getaways, from funky to fancy: Bend residents may feel as if at least one person in their neighbor is renting out a room or a whole house to tourists. And they may be right.

A study released Wednesday found that Bend has 1,658 Airbnb listings per 50,000 people, which vaults the city on the Deschutes River to the fourth most saturated vacation rental market among more than 750 U.S. cities, according to IPX1031, an investment property exchange service.

When active home rental listings were compared to the population, three Florida cities took top place: Miami Beach came in first with 3,416 listings per 50,000 people. Kissimme, near the Walt Disney World Resort, came in second with 2,880 listings per 50,000 residents and third-place Sarasota, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, has 2,234 listings per 50,000 people.

Airbnb picks the West Coast’s top destination, and it’s Eugene: These are the most wish-listed rentals Of Airbnb’s more than 7 million homestays scattered across the world, which West Coast city rose to the top as a destination more people want to visit in 2020?

Eugene.

The reasons? Travelers like to be around nature and big events, says the lodging company. Green-thinking Eugene has both hiking trails and the University of Oregon’s constant activities.

Here are 10 ideal Airbnb rentals for sweet Cannon Beach getaways: For people who dream of having a beach house, an Oregon Coast vacation rental is a sweet substitute.

In addition to hotels and B&B, Cannon Beach visitors can check into a cottage or condo, wrapped in classic cedar shingles and equipped with a kitchenette and patio, that’s operated by hospitality professionals as well as homeowners with space to spare.

Airbnb’s research found visitors book their Cannon Beach getaway at least two months before their trip. Nightly rentals are restricted and people devoted to special events like the crowd-pleasing Sandcastle Contest and hilarious corgi run race to reserve a place.

10 top Ashland Airbnb home stays for couples, families, girl groups: Online travel agent Daniel Perry manages 100 vacation rentals in Ashland, from a single room to an entire house, where a chef can be hired to make meals. We asked the owner of BookStayHop to suggest a home stay for various Ashland visitors, from singles and couples to large groups.

Many of the vacation rentals are in Ashland’s downtown area, which allows out-of-towners to leave a car behind and live like a local, says Perry.

Getaway ideas to close-by, less-crowded places: The Portland-based travel experts at Vacasa vacation home rentals checked where spring breakers escaped to in 2018 and 2019, and found alternative smaller towns and cities nearby. These getaways can be a deal.

10 vacation rentals with closeup views of Oregon’s fabulous fall colors: If you live in Oregon, you can look out almost any window and see greenery. Starting now through mid-October, you’ll also see bronze, crimson and golden autumn leaves.

10 luxury home rentals let you dream big on vacation: Vacations are supposed to be a fantasy come true. Yet, most of us stick somewhat to a budget. But ... we can dream.

Here are 10 luxury home rentals that cost more for one day than most people’s monthly housing expenses. Still, there’s something appealing about looking at perfect scenery from a secluded perch surrounded by nature and deluxe perks (yes, a butler).

In time for holiday giving – or making plans for a wedding or family reunion – we spotlight off-the-charts, Neiman Marcus fantasy gift level of getaways to rent, in Oregon and once-in-a-lifetime, fabulous destinations.

Dozens of Oregon getaways let you soak in natural hot springs: Ease into the new year by soaking the day away at Crane Hot Springs, a getaway off Oregon Route 78 east of Burns that the Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale calls “an oasis.”

If you're too relaxed to leave a cedar tub bubbling with mineral water from natural hot springs ($15 an hour) or the soothing, 101-degree pool ($10 for four hours), stay overnight inside a rustic room or tepee, or set up a tent or park your RV at one of the campsites.

Perhaps you’d like to explore beyond the remote resort? The slow winter season in southeast Oregon’s high desert will allow time to learn about the area’s fascinating prehistoric history and other places to soak.

Where to stay for Willamette Valley’s Wine Country Thanksgiving: From a tiny house to vineyard villa

Thanksgiving weekend in Oregon's wine-growing regions is an action-packed chance for patrons of pinot noir and other varietals to barrel taste this year's vintage as flavors mature and to enjoy food pairings with bottles that have been released (and perhaps are on sale).

More than 140 Willamette Valley wineries will host events in tasting rooms and cellars during Wine Country Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 1.

After stops at scenic vineyards to swirl, sniff and sip, you might want to stay over a night or two. Here are 10 vacation homes for rent, from a tiny abode to a contemporary villa.

Tiny new cabin in the Mount Adams Outpost: Getaway has tiny cabins in nature to rent outside of Portland as well as Los Angeles, New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

The Mount Adams Outpost is an 80-acre property with handcrafted, dog-friendly hideaways for two to four people. Each one has a fire pit, grilling grate and a picnic table.

Inside the 140 to 200 square feet of living space are either one or two queen-size beds plus a mini kitchen, electric toilet, shower and a cellphone lockbox.

Details:

• Cabin that accommodates two to four guests

• $99-$209 a night depending on travel dates

Vacation getaways: Yachts, yurts and other unusual Oregon home rentals: To celebrate a seriously special occasion, you can charter the Disco Volante, a 45-foot yacht with three levels of luxury. We’re talking swim platforms and sun pads, and a ban on red wine and orange Cheetos to protect the pricey teak and tan finishes.

The cost: $999 for two hours then $299 for each additional hour, including the services of a licensed captain.

Or, if you want to pretend to pilot a vessel, there are landlocked pleasure boats on Airbnb or other vacation rental sites.

Vrbo’s 2020 Trend Report found a 30% increase in traveler demand for houseboats, yachts, RVs and Airstreams, aka “land yachts,” compared to last year.

In this week’s getaway galley, we look at these movable homes plus quirky yurts.

10 glamorous historic mansions and homes for rent: Are you curious about what luxury looked like a century ago and how it feels today? In this week’s home stay getaway gallery, we peek into 10 historic mansions and homes that you can rent for a day or longer.

Modern kitchen appliances including a fridge mean you won’t have to call the iceman or bring in wood to start the stove. Instead, cuddle into a wingback chair by the fireplace and read a classic.

Las Vegas lodging to cheer on Oregon teams: Passionate Pac-12 basketball fans typically stay four nights on the Las Vegas Strip during Pac-12 tournaments, according to travel agencies and go-to visitor resources like Las Vegas Events.

Stats also find NCAA fans tend to book a place three months in advance.

But there’s room for last-minute planners, too. Most -- 88% -- Vegas visitors use social media apps or the internet to research a trip, and a sweep through TripAdvisor and other sites directs them to deals.

Pac-12 women athletes compete Thursday through Sunday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and the men’s tournament is March 11-14 at T-Mobile Arena.

Here are places to stay close to the arena, so you can walk, take a hotel tram, Las Vegas Monorail or a ride share to the games.

See more places to stay, some on the Las Vegas Strip, others in quieter locales including the Nobu Hotel penthouse suite

These 5 vacation rentals are hauntingly close to scary movie locations: In the chilling days leading to Halloween, horror movie fans might want to linger on a dead-end street and other places that cinematically spooked them, and then turn their nightmares into dream vacations.

For this week’s vacation getaway roundup, we turned to Portland-based Vacasa to find five places to stay that are hauntingly close to scary film locations, in Oregon and spots for those who may want to creep over state lines.

10 spirited vacation rentals to stay in St. Helens as HalloweenTown takes over: Portland is only 30 miles south of St. Helens, making day-tripping easy. But during the October-long Spirit of HalloweenTown festival, which starts Saturday, Oct. 5, visitors may want to linger into the chill of the night, when costumed characters re-enact scenes from movies filmed here, like the “Twilight” vampire saga and the bewitching “HalloweenTown.”

Visitors will also learn about space alien invasions and see creepy stuff in the Museum of Peculiarities & Oddities.

10 Oregon coast getaways to enjoy a Victorian-style Christmas at the Heceta Head Lighthouse: Lighthouses are a beacon to captains and people curious about these rare, old navigational towers.

If you’ve never gazed out to sea from a 200-foot-tall vantage point at night, here’s your chance: You can enter the Heceta Head Lightstation on Oregon’s central coast during the 24th Annual Victorian Christmas Open House from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15.

The festive event starts at the Heceta Lighthouse B&B, in the 125-year-old Queen Anne-style keeper’s quarters, which is decorated for the holidays. Santa Claus, music and goodies will fill the scene.

Bundle up and stay overnight. Here are 10 vacation homes for rent, from a vintage Airstream to a contemporary house, near Florence and Yachats.

10 vacation getaways to join Mount Hood’s New Year’s Eve parties: Are you searching for a memorable way to watch the dawn of a new decade? How about ringing in 2020 from Oregon’s tallest mountain?

All three of Mount Hood’s major ski resorts -- Mt. Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood Skibowl and Timberline Lodge -- host New Year’s Eve parties, each with night skiing, entertainment, food and fireworks, reports Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale.

In this week’s vacation roundup, we look at 10 different ways to stay near the slopes, from a luxury chalet to a ski-in cabin.

10 Oregon coast getaways to see Shore Acres’ stunning holiday light display: If you’re looking for a place that’s all aglow for the holidays, Shore Acres State Park’s display of 325,000 decorative lights on the southern Oregon coast will blow you away.

Volunteers and park rangers have been hosting Holiday Lights at Shore Acres since 1987.

The free event takes place daily from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve at the park, which is three miles south of the small fishing town of Charleston and 12 miles southwest of the city of Coos Bay.

Here are 10 vacation stays, from a camper to a midcentury modern house, near the stunning holiday light display, which continues through Dec. 31.

10 snowy getaways near Crater Lake get you close to free ranger tours: Are you ready to be whisked off on snowshoes to explore corners of Crater Lake? Rangers offer free tours and equipment, but you’ll need to get there first since the Crater Lake Lodge and all park campgrounds are closed until late May.

There are winter lodging options near and far like Diamond Lake Resort. Here are 10 snowy getaways.

The entrance road to park headquarters and Rim Village usually remains open year-round, and a discounted $15 entrance fee allows you to explore on your own or go on a free ranger-led snowshoe tour, says Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale. For tour dates, visit nps.gov/crla or call 541-594-3000.

MLB vacation getaways: Places to stay in Arizona to take in baseball’s spring training: Baseball fans can see half of the Major League’s 30 teams play in Cactus League games within a 47-miles radius.

Whether you’re focused on the plays inside 10 stadiums around Phoenix and Scottsdale or relaxing around a pool absorbing Emily Nemens’ “The Cactus League” novel set here, now’s your chance to hang around star athletes, hopeful prospects and devoted fans.

In this week's getaway gallery, we find places to stay near ballparks, from tiny houses smaller than a dugout to villas with a pool as large as an infield.

Hungry? Grab the foot-long hot dog covered in jalapeño bacon while watching the Seattle Mariners at the Peoria Sports Complex. Or try out the Wisconsin Curd Burger, Hot Cheetos Cheesesteak and other culinary offerings.

Where are you heading? What's your favorite home rental?

— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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