Carlo
Kickstart Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2005
- Location
- Oregon
- Moto(s)
- Aprilia(sold)/BMW/Royal Enfield/BSA
Honda Goldwing/California Sidecar combination
It's a good 10 hour drive from Eugene to the Bay Area, and that's if I only stop for gas. Count on Portland being another two hours.
Portland is very amenable to public transport. The Portland Metro trains are free to ride anywhere within the downtown area, and they cover almost everywhere else quickly and reliably for reasonable prices.
Check out the Pearl District, near downtown, North of Burnside. Also in that area is Portland's China Town, which has lots of little shops which sell real stuff instead of all the crap the San Francisco Chinatown shops sell. Powell's City of Books is well worth a visit at 11th and Burnside. 23rd Street off Burnside has tons of cool little shops, taverns, coffee houses. At 23rd and Wilson is a very trendy motorcycle shop, Moto-Corsa, selling Ducati, Aprilia, Royal Enfield, and various scooters. I've walked the entire length of 23rd from Burnside to Vaughn. (the streets are alphabetical in that neighborhood), and there is something worthwhile on every block.
On the eastside, check out Hawthorne Street, Division Street, (Langlitz Leathers is at 25th and Division), The Selwood district in Southeast Portland.
Look up See See Coffee Company, 17th and Sandy, near where Sandy Blvd splits off From Burnside. They're the guys who put on that 1 Moto Show in Portland (and now Austin, TX) every year.
We always stay at the Benson Hotel downtown. Nice, old fashioned hotel, now part of the Westin chain, but still a great place to stay.
Take a look at the food carts that are almost everywhere. Unbelievable variety of food, and great prices.
Visit the Japanese Garden, which is claimed to be the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan. Way, way bigger than the one in GG Park.
Speaking of Japanese Culture, the Portland Museum of Art is currently showing an exibit of Samurai Armor, through mid-January (the 12th, I think) which is definitely worth seeing. That's in the "Park Blocks" at SW Park and Jefferson.
You'll never have trouble finding good places to eat.
Places we like; Papa Haydn's, two locations, one on the westside at 23rd and Irving, another at Se Milwaukee Ave on the Southeast side.
Bete-Lukas Ethiopian Restaurant on SE 50th. The food is amazing, but they don't give you any silverware. You're supposed to pick the food up with some flatbread they serve with the meal.
Tons of other great restaurants, those are just two that come to mind.
Enjoy your visit, I know you'll have a great time.
we got engaged at L'Auberge (the second time) 
