Culinary Travel

Social media.  One either likes it or they don't.  We of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild actually love it.  Today's travelers' are web savvy travelers' who use many different social media sites to make wise travel choices.  Social media listings direct you to us and then our innkeepers take over to make your lodging choice the perfect choice for your Oregon vacation.

The Oregon B&B Guild website ~ new and improved with loads of information, serving as a 'one stop shopping' website:  

• Visit the Target Market page to begin your search for an inn that will fulfill your interests, birding, hiking, biking, wine tasting, historic destinations, etc.
• Weddings and Retreats - many of our innkeepers will host weddings and retreats
• Culinary Tourism - for our food loving guests, that would be all of you! 
• Browse by region, specials, amenities
• Each inn has direct links to their personal on-line reservation systems.  There is also an availability calendar for all regions
• Purchase Lodging Gift Vouchers which are redeemable at all our member inns
• Each inn has a direct link to their on-line reviews.  TripAdvisor, Yelp, BedandBreakfast.com and iLoveInns.  Review before you reserve.

This Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Blog.  An amazing social media tool.  We post about happenings and events all across Oregon and the lodging options close by.  Search the blog for posts on winery events, bird watching sites, farmers markets and oh, so much more!

facebook - join almost 2000 fans that 'like' the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  You'll get live updates on specials, events, and state wide happenings. 

twitter - follow us on twitter @oregonbbguild and @ORinnquire for short timely Q&A with innkeepers.  We live here.  We know Oregon like the back of our hands and would love to help you create a memorable visit at our inns and in our regions

Flickr - where our innkeepers have uploaded photos of their inns, events, and scenic shots of Oregon

Pinterest - photos and more photos!  Of our inns, our innkeepers, our food, and of course our Oregon.

There are over 400 bed and breakfasts in Oregon but only ours are inspected and approved by the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, making them a exceptional lodging choice for your perfect vacation.  Thank you for choosing one, or more, of our member inns as a lodging option on your next Oregon vacation.  You'll be glad you did.

In the Hood River Valley 15,000+ acres pears, apples, cherries and other fruit, will burst into blossom this month.  It is a true sign of sping as we dust the snow off our back steps. 

Blossom Festival celebrates the arrival of spring with a full plate of events from BBQs, to arts and craft shows, to antique sales. 

You won't want to miss the Blossom Fest Quilt Show with some 80-100 beautiful handmade quilts will be on display, many for sale.  Another can't miss event is the Dessert Party at the Apple Valley Country Store.  A variety of desserts, jams and jellies, all made with fresh local fruit, will be available.

Start your day at one of the many Oregon Bed and Breakfasts near Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge with a breakfast prepared from fresh local products.  Ginger baked pears, fresh Blueberry Scones, Apple Quiche, we're talking Northwest Culinary breakfasts!

With Nine Unique Inns in OBBG's Mt Hood Region to choose from this will only be one of the hard choices you'll face on a weekend of events for all the senses.

Take the scenic 35 mile Fruit Loop through the valley's orchards, forests, farmlands, and friendly communities.

Just want to sit back and relax?  The Mt Hood Railroad travels through thousands of acres of orchards in blossom and has a layover in Parkdale and the Art and Music Festival.  Enjoy live music and art in the park while taking in stunning views of Mt. Hood.

Visit us in the Hood River Valley at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inn and prove to yourself that spring has definitely arrived!!

We always like it when venerable travel writer Gerry Frank picks an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member to include in his articles.  On November 18, 2012, Gerry picked the Oval Door Bed & Breakfast in Eugene as one of his favorites.  You can read the full article from the Oregonian here.

"Mornings start out right with locally roasted coffee delivered to the guest rooms. Follow the aroma of just-out-of-the-oven baked goods to the dining room for a full gourmet breakfast. Main dishes feature a choice of two entrees made with seasonal ingredients (including a healthier option) such as corn fritters, eggnog French toast and Dungeness crab hash. Fruit and breakfast meats complement the superb main dishes."

Nothing like adding a little culinary tourism to your Eugene Oregon stay!  If you're a business traveler, thinking about relocating to Eugene, or parents of a University of Oregon college student looking for a more home-like environment for your time in Eugene, the Oval Door Bed and Breakfast could be your pick too.

Call Melissa or Nicole at 541-683-3160 or visit their comprehensive website to review their rooms and make your reservation.  Lodging in downtown Eugene Oregon can't be more complete than a stay at the Oval Door.  

And thanks, Gerry Frank, for picking an Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild member!

FARM to FORK is a "traveling farm-to-table restaurant, local food fundraiser, and community celebration rolled into one! Our unique FARM to FORK dinners are designed to reconnect people to the source of their food, and to honor the talented farmers, food artisans, winemakers, and chefs that contribute to the growing culinary reputation and local food community of Southern Oregon"

Scheduling for the 2012 FARM to FORK events scheduled have begun and the promoters of this event invite you to "meet the farmers, tour the farms, and experience a remarkable artisan meal in the company of friends, neighbors, and fellow supporters of our local food and wine community. Proceeds from the dinners will be contributed directly to local farmers, wineries and organizations that support small farms, food security, and greater accessibility to healthy, local food."

We hope you can make one or more of the FARM to FORK dinners and we encourage you to make your reserve your seat early as these events will surely sell out as will most events happening in Ashland, Oregon.  And the beds of Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns fill up even quicker!

Long Hollow Ranch, a unique ranch stay in of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, offers an at home atmosphere perfect for every season of the year. Join us for Bed & Breakfast during fall, winter or spring.  Off season weather can be unpredictable and capricious, so outdoor activities may be limited, but the ranch houses are quiet and comfortable - A Perfect Getaway!

Whether you are planning a simple birthday dinner for a family member or a week long retreat for the team, small groups and events are always welcome.

Your day starts with a delicious and satisfying hot Oregon slow food style breakfast, a culinary treat.  Hot and cold beverages are available and guests have access to a refrigerator and microwave.

Most Long Hollow Ranch buildings date back to the early twentieth century. During their stay at this historic Ranch guests can enjoy the outdoor hot tub, sit in the shade on the wrap around porch, enjoy drinks on the patio or play a variety of yard games. Inside the Ranch House, guests enjoy table games, reading, playing the piano or just having good conversation in the public living and dining room areas.

Plan a romantic weekend getaway or a spectacular Oregon Bed and Breakfast Ranch vacation experience in Oregon's Central High Desert.

Get to know our State like a local.  Select a Bed and Breakfast from where to start and end your trip.  Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats. Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, for a World Class City experience or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Culinary Tourists, listen up.  You'd travel miles for the best Street-Food.  Even plan whole culinary vacations around Street-Food.  Well, you need only travel to Portland, Oregon for the very best in Street Food.  #1 in the World in fact according to Budget Travel and US News Travel

"With more than 400 carts selling everything from Korean tacos to Carolina-style barbecue, Food Carts Portland is a microcosm of mobile meals, " according to Marisa Robertson-Textor.

Lunchtime crowds gather near SW 10th Avenue and SW Alder Street; later on, night owls head across the river to SE 12th Avenue and SE Hawthorne Boulevard for deep-fried cherry pies and savory crepes, served until 2 a.m.

Food Carts Portland has a list of cuisine categories, locations and maps.  From Baked Potatoes to Vietnamese to Turkish to Sicilian, you'll find more than 50 different carts.  "Like" Food Carts Portland on Facebook.

Start your Culinary Vacation at a Portland Bed and Breakfast where we serve up the very best in Oregon Slow Food, right from the Farmers Market to you.  Then "graze" through Portland and see what we already knew, Portland has the "World's Best Street Food".

Eat Mobile, Portland’s Food Cart Festival, will be held at OMSI this year on Saturday April 28. Fifty different street food vendors will serve up samples of their creations to the throngs of fans who will eat it up while enjoying an adult beverages and some live music. All proceeds from the event go to Mercy Corp Northwest’s local economic development program which assists entrepreneurs in securing funds for small businesses, including food carts.

Just another reason to visit Portland, Oregon and regional member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  Get to know our State like a local.  Select a Bed and Breakfast from where to start and end your trip.  Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats. Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, for a World Class City experience or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

There's a quirky little town on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, a half-hour drive north of Portland, that is trying to discover itself. St Helens Oregon has already been discovered by Hollywood, for one.  Recently numerous scenes from "Twilight" were filmed here and each October Olde Towne recreated in the manner of the popular 1998 Disney movie, "Halloweentown".

Dozens of fishing boats might be waiting in the harbor for the tide to turn and the salmon to run.  The local brewery, "Captured by Porches" is lodged behind the Plantation House and Captain Jack's karaoke bar in the heart of Olde Town, along with shops and restaurants and the Columbia Theatre.  Sailors and kayakers with rentals from Scappoose Bay Kayaking, enjoy the calm waters of the narrow channel and farther out, oceangoing freighters and container ships traveled the main Columbia channel.  The front steps of the 1905 Columbia County Courthouse — located immediately north of Columbia View Park — look out upon Plaza Square, which extends between Strand and First streets.



A delightful Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inn, The Nob Hill Riverview B&B, sits on a hilltop overlooking Olde Town and features a wonderful view of Mount St. Helen.  The perfect place to relax and unwind.  From the moment you step inside you will find that the Inn is elegantly appointed and restored for your comfort. You will feel pampered after a restful night's sleep and awake to the inviting aroma of homemade organic food being prepared for your breakfast.  A true Northwest Culinary treat for that romantic getaway and a unique inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

Matthew Domingo
FARM to FORK Co-Founder

Farm Dinners Celebrate Hood River Valley's Farmers, Winemakers and Food Artisans

Farm to Fork’s founders have created a traveling farm-to-table restaurant, local food fundraiser, andcommunity celebration rolled into one. Each dinner is set at the farm where much of the food on the menu was produced, and proceeds benefit food-focused non-profits. rm to Fork’s mission is to connect guests to local sources of produce, meat, seafood and dairy products, and to honor the talented farmers, food artisans, winemakers and chefs who contribute to Oregon’s growing culinary and winemaking reputation.

An enormously successful 2010 season in Southern Oregon has led FARM to FORK north to Hood River. On September 18th at Historic Kiyokawa Family Orchards, FARM to FORK will feature their first Hood River event in anticipation of an expanded dinner series in the Hood River Valley next summer.
 
“The Hood River Valley, and the greater Columbia Gorge is a rich and beautiful agricultural region,” says Matthew Domingo, FARM to FORK’s Event Director.  “We’re excited to meet the farmers and food artisans in the valley, share their stories, and support the work of local organizations like the Gorge Grown Network and the Hood River Valley Residents Committee.”

Dinners begin with a tour from the host farmer, and include local wine, a five-course meal, and producer discussions (suggested minimum donation: $75).  Proceeds benefit local farmers and organizations supporting small farms, food security and greater accessibility to local food. Proceeds for this dinner will benefit the Gorge Grown Food Network and the Hood River Valley Residents Committee. For more information on Farm to Fork’s September 18th Farm Dinner, and to purchase seats to the event, go to farmtoforkevents.com.

After you have purchased your Farm to Fork tickets, choose a Mt Hood bed and breakfast through the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild as your lodging option and you are sure to turn a simple weekend into an Oregon culinary vacation.   Beside two major bike rides this same weekend in the Gorge, we are going to be in the middle of Harvest.  Which means over 1500 riders and visitors to the Family Fruit Farms, which means Rooms will be hard to come by.  Not to mention this event is almost sold out!! 

The May 2011 issue of Sunset Magazine features the "Top 50 Hotels Under $150" for travelers seeking room for a weekend night where the Sunset staff would really want to be.

From the article:

So we set out to find rooms—weekend rooms—for under $150 per night*. Call us cheap, but for that price we also want our own bathroom, no bedbugs, and rooms, or at the very least lobbies, with a dash of personality. And each one of these hotels is in a place we really want to go. (*All hotels have an under-$150 rate for at least 1 weekend through late spring and summer. Rates do not include tax.) What follows is our list of the best.

24. Chehalem Ridge B&B, Newberg, OR. With a view that it shares only with the hawks, this modern cottage has 4 cozy but unfancy rooms within striking distance of dozens and dozens of Willamette Valley wineries. Breakfast is a multicourse affair that on nice days is served out on the deck. $140; chehalemridge.com   

Innkeeper Kristin Fintel's comment:  "The rumors are true! Sunset Magazine Loves Us! We are listed as #24 of the West's best hotel deals. I might quibble with the word un-fancy (is "doily-free so hard to type?), but we appreciate the love non the less."

And Chehalem Ridge B&B is only one of ten properties that Sunset selected in the Northwest!  Kudos to Kristin & Curt!

What the Sunset staff didn't tell you is Kristin is well-versed in the kitchen, creating a variety of breakfast meals that suit individuals who are gluten-free or avoid eating such common foods as eggs, dairy, soy, corn, nuts, or even sugar.  Or course, if you're not food sensitive, her breakfast cuisine features the best the Northwest can offer.  And, the price of breakfast is included with your room.  Will you find that level of service in most hotels?

If you're looking for a Northwest culinary experience at an authentic Oregon bed and breakfast, look no further than Chehalem Ridge B&B in Newberg.  And maybe you'll see the Sunset staffers enjoying the view.

Sakura Ridge - The Farm and Lodge, is a working orchard and Oregon bed and breakfast located on the west slopes of the Hood River Valley.  You'll feel like you are sitting on top of the world as you enjoy panoramic views of the valley and majestic Mt Hood from your private patios or the extensive decks.

The Farm grows organic dark sweet cherries and delicate pears many of which make it to the amazing breakfasts served at the Lodge along with many other organic fruits and vegetables grown organically in the extensive gardens.  A true Northwest Culinary experience. 

From the Coast, Portland, Mount Hood and The Gorge, Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon to the Rogue River Valley or Central Oregon to the High desert of the East the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild offers unique and comfortable accommodations.

Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our near 100 hosts in any one of our many regions. Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, for a World Class City experience or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn

The Oval Door Bed and Breakfast, a member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, is a newly built early 20th century farmhouse-style home located on a tree-lined residential street in the heart of downtown Eugene, Oregon.  Six guestrooms are decorated for your pleasure and comfort with a private bath, ceiling fans and individually controlled heaters, and air conditioning.

Easy walking distance to many fine Eugene restaurants, Hult center, downtown shops, and only 12 blocks to the University of Oregon.  Guests may enjoy a good book in the library, or by the fireplace in the living area.  The wrap around porch with swing is a great place to hang out in the summer time. Tea, hot cocoa, beer, wine and soda are comlimentary along with our famous home made cookies!  

You'll be treated to a fantastic gourmet breakfast served at guest's convenience by the owners who are accomplished chefs.  A true culinary experience where dietary needs are happily accommodated.

Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our near 100 hosts in any one of our many regions. Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, for a World Class City experience or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn

Romantic weekend getaways are just around the corner with Valentine's Day Weekend.  Roselyn, innkeeper at the romantic bed and breakfast R.R. Thompson House in Carlton, offers some specific Valentine's Weekend recommendations for exploring Oregon Wine Country:

• Celebrate Valentine's Day in the Willamette Valley and experience the quiet beauty of Oregon's premier wine country in winter.  Tasting rooms and wineries will bring out the cupid in you with special events which are hard to resist.  What could be better than a glass of Pinot Noir wine coupled with Pinot Noir brownies?  Monks Gate Vineyard near Carlton, Oregon tempts with this offering Valentine's Day weekend.  Linda bakes these irresistible treats herself and will offer them to visitors of the vineyard/tasting room on Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13.  (Tasting fee applies).
• Monks Gate is just one of dozens of wineries in the Valley planning special events during Valentine's Day weekend.    The theme at Coelho Winery in Amity will be "The Perfect Aphrodisiac," with the staff offering a selection of wines paired with "sweet and savory aphrodisiacs."  On Sunday, February 13 at 3 p.m., Vintage Voices, a jazz ensemble, will perform classic love songs in the tasting room.  (Reservations requested, charity donation to YCAP.)
• "Fine Wine and Lasting Love" is the theme at Raptor Ridge Winery, Newberg, where the staff is waiting to show off their new winery and tasting room. 
• At Cana's Feast, partake in a "wine country-style" Valentine's dinner on February 12.  Chef Lisa works magic in the kitchen where she mixes skill and heart for fantastic culinary offerings. 
• Check out the Willamette Wines website for more special events. 

It's about the beach, history, glass floats in the sand, music performances, making your own dishes and even your own candy – it’s not just about the holidays and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Lincoln City lights up for the season in more ways than just the Christmas lights strung along the buildings.

With so much to see and do on the Oregon Coast, consider Oregon Coast lodging at a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild in and near Lincoln City.  From a quiet romantic getaway to a fun family retreat, the inns in and near Lincoln City await.

Through Memorial Day 2011. Finders Keepers on the Beach: Glass Floats on the Beach. Weather permitting, every day colorful hand-blown glass floats are placed on the beach.  If you find a float, bring it to the Lincoln City Visitors Center at 540 NE Hwy 101 to receive your certificate of authenticity and a biography of the artist who made the float. 800-452-2151 or 541-996-1274 or www.oregoncoast.org

Through December 11. “Kennewick Man on Trial” traveling exhibit at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum. The exhibit uses text, photos, maps, and historic illustrations, to explore the science as well as the ethical and legal ramifications of the 1996 discovery of the “Kennewick Man” remains. Free admission. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-996-6698.

December 11. Hands-on Cookies & Candies cooking class. Cost: $50. 1 – 4 p.m. Culinary Center. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-557-1125, 800-452-2151 or www.oregoncoast.org/culinary

December 11. Birding Field trip, hosted by Lincoln City Audubon at the Nestucca Wildlife Refuge. Walk will include a variety of habitats such as pastures, grasslands, and tidal marsh. Binoculars and guide books will be provided. 9 – 11 a.m. 541-992-0440. Near Pacific City, just north of Lincoln City.

Chocolate and Candy Making 101. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Litehouse Chocolates. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-614-0660.

December 19. Gift of Music at Salishan Lodge. Gleneden Beach, Oregon (just south of Lincoln City). 541-764-2371.

December 25 - January 1. Glass Sand Dollars, Glass Crabs on Beach. 100 hand-crafted glass sand dollars and glass crabs along with 100 glass floats will await discovery along the 7.5 miles of Lincoln City beaches, weather and ocean permitting. 541-996-1274, 800-452-2151.

December 26 - January 1. Oregon Coast Whale Watch Week. 541-765-3407 or http://www.whalespokenhere.org

When was the last time you were charged for a cup of coffee at a Bed and Breakfast? WiFi?  A biscotti?  A sip of sherry? I'm thinking never!  This is becoming the norm as we see the ever-increasing hotel add-on fees.  Mark Orwoll, trusted travel journalist, recently published a story in Travel & Leisure Magazine about the world's most outrageous hotel fees.   Heather Tyreman, my colleague and fellow blogger for the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, blogged about this same topic some time back in "Hotels vs Bed and Breakfasts: Pros and Cons and the Doily Factor".  Read her blog, the Travel & Leisure Magazine article, there's more add-on fees mentioned there, and then this one and we hope you'll decide to choose a B&B next time you travel.
 

• Early Check-In Fees can set you back $50:  Orwoll says, "Hotels used to go out of their way to accommodate early-arriving guests. Now you just might have to pay for the privilege at some properties". Your cost: fees average $20–$50.  While B&Bs can't always guarantee early check-ins, we do our best to accommodate guests who request an early check-in or late check-out in advance with no added fees.
   
• Fees for in-room coffee and tea?  Are you kidding?  Some hotels are kindly placing an electric coffeepot on your dresser along with an assortment of tea bags and instant coffee. "Watch out," says Orwoll. "That amenity, which used to be gratis, is becoming a new source of revenue for hotels", insists Orwoll.  Your cost: $2–$5 for a tea bag or a packet of coffee.  Next time you travel choose a B&B where morning coffee usually appears before 7am and you hold a bottomless cup, many times with complimentary biscotti or cookie to go along with it.
   
• Maid service costs more than a tip:  Cleanliness is next to Godliness at today's B&Bs. Chance are if you read a review for any B&B guests will comment on how clean the guest room was.  Innkeepers are dedicated to offering the greenest and cleanest of rooms, and while they gratefully accept tips, they won't charge an extra housekeeping fee.
   
• Free wi-fi?  Many budget hotel chains routinely offer free Internet connection but so many luxury brands don't.  Your cost: $10–$20 (or more) a day.  Yet, according to BedandBreakfast.com, the most comprehensive online B&B directory and reservation network worldwide, more than 87 percent of B&Bs offer a free wi-fi connection. 
   
• No Mini-Bar fees here:  "It's bad enough that you have to pay ten times or more the normal price for mini-bar items", maintains Orwoll, "but what's worse is the growing practice among hotels to add an extra charge to replace items you took. And it gets worse: hotels are increasingly using mini-bars armed with sensors that detect—and charge your room bill—if you so much as move an item!"  Your cost:  $3-$5.  A recent survey by BedandBreakfast.com revealed that more 95 percent of B&Bs offer either complimentary afternoon or evening refreshments or a complimentary wine and cheese reception.

It's out of the hat.  There are just no words to describe what it’s like to spend the harvest season following your taste buds on a Culinary Travel Vacation through Oregon.  If you could put all of Oregon on a plate, the flavors would combine into one of the most delicious ambrosias you’ve ever tasted.  Sample the Flavors of Oregon, one bite, sip or scent at a time.  Start you Culinary Vacation at a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild then head out and get to know the artisans, brewmasters, winemakers, and growers of Oregon.

Our innkeepers take breakfast seriously, serving freshly ground coffee, more often than not roasted locally, along with sweet and savory delights created from the very best of what our Oregon producers have to offer.  Many have home gardens and hens or have fresh produce delivered via their local growers and/or Community Supported Agriculture Groups.

There are many Oregon Food and Wine events planned through the rest of the year.  Wine and Brew Tasting, Mushroom Foraging and Bar-b-Ques are but a few of the many upcoming Oregon culinary experiences.  Contact an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Innkeeper and plan your getaway today.