EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Adjacent to the Columbia River, north of Mount Hood, charming little HOOD RIVER is a gusty center for river windsurfing and mountain biking, with outfitters' shops lining the streets and a riverfront park to take in the local sporting scene. It's a good base for exploring the gorge; one of the most exquisite places to stay in the entire region is the Columbia Gorge Hotel , 3000 Westcliff Drive (tel 541/386-5566 or 1-800/345-1921, ; $200-250), whose impressive rooms and garden overlook the gorge just off I-84 at the far west end of town. More central, and less expensive options include the Hood River Hotel , 102 Oak Ave (tel 541/386-1900 or 1-800/386-1859, ; $100-130), built in 1913 and featuring a good Italian restaurant, and the basic but clean Love's Riverview Lodge , 1505 Oak St (tel 541/386-8719 or 1-800/789-9568, ; $50-75). The Full Sail Brewing Co , 506 Columbia St (tel 541/386-2247), is a popular spot in the evening, and there are several inexpensive places to eat , the best bet being the 6th Street Bistro , at Sixth and Cascade streets (tel 541/386-5737), whose flavorful burgers are the main draw. The town's visitors center is by the river in Port Marina Park (tel 1-800/366-3530, ).