A Moody Girl’s Guide to a Weekend in Oregon

For this itinerary, let’s assume you start in Portland. The airport is easily accessible and if you need a hook-up with a rental car, I’ve got you covered. From Portland, we’re going to drive to Tillamook County. The road to get there is lush and tree-lined, twisting and turning through the Oregon countryside. For road trip music, think: Lana Del Rey. Admire the light scattering through the leaves while Lana croons about that summertime, summertime sadness.

Your first stop will be Apolloni Vineyards. There are many vineyards local to the area and this is one of my favorites. They offer a fantastic wine flight and I checked — they will let you moodily wander through the vines of the estate while you drink it. They do offer the wine flight for free with qualifying purchases, so I recommend getting a bottle to have later your trip.

Next stop, the Tillamook Creamery. Is this a very touristy destination? You betcha. But it’s worth the stop because they offer ice cream flights, and what could be better moody food than three different types of ice cream all to yourself? Bonus: they do offer samples of their cheese and I’m never mad about free cheese. Maybe dairy won’t solve all your problems, but there’s really only one way to find out.

Finally, we end our drive on the Oregon Coast. There are many places you can visit on the coast. Cannon Beach is a popular option. But we’re going for the road less traveled here. My personal recommendation is a town called Rockaway Beach. It’s small, but that also means it’s less crowded, and the last thing a moody girl wants to do is fight for a spot on the beach. We’re going to get you set up here in a villa, ideally on the water, so you can drink that bottle of wine while gazing out on the sea and reflecting on all the choices you’ve ever made in your life. I’m fully convinced that all moody girls are basically sickly Victorian children. Time spent in the sea air is going to make you feel better. End your evening on the sand with a beach bonfire. Stare into the flames as they burn wood into embers. Remember that everything ends. Also remember to bury your fire, because safety is key, no matter how moody you might be.

The next morning you can start your day with a drink from one of the local coffee shops. I find that iced coffee fills the void in my soul, but maybe you’re more of a tea girl. Either way, a moody beverage is a must. After you’ve had your fill, it’s time to take to the forest.

I know what you might be thinking. You’re a moody girl, not an outdoorsy girl. And girl, I hear you. But trust me when I say it’s worth it. You’re going to head to the Big Tree Trail, right outside Rockaway Beach. The trail has been built out as a long boardwalk, so you can make the walk in your moodiest combat boots without worrying. At the end of the trail is, well, a big tree. But listen, it’s a BIG tree. Sit with the tree. Think about how small you are in the universe. This tree has been here long before you and will be here long after you’re gone. Make the walk back.

I recommend leaving the rest of the day open so you can indulge whatever moody impulse feels right. Long walk on the beach through the fog? Absolutely. Very emotionally charged nap? Also a great option. Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, it’s time to head back to Portland.

For your night in Portland, I’m going to recommend you stay at The Nines. It’s a stunning luxury hotel right in downtown Portland. If you book through me, you’ll get some pretty sweet perks while staying there, including a $100 food and beverage credit you can use at their rooftop lounge. And if there’s one thing I know about moody girls, it’s that we love staring wistfully off into the distance while standing on a rooftop. From the hotel you have easy access to some of Portland’s most iconic attractions, so you can stroll through the Japanese Gardens, or snag yourself a Voodoo Donut. The one place you absolutely can’t miss is Powell’s City of Books. If you’re a moody girl who’s not into bookstores, well… you just might be the first. Maybe go for a moody city walk instead? But for the rest of us bookstore lovin’ moody girls, Powell’s is a treat. They are, in a word, huge. You can absolutely spend hours here, falling into whatever topic intrigues you. It’s so big that you could easily spend an entire day here without being noticed by an employee. Truly, a moody girl’s dream and the best note to end your trip on.