Ten years after first playing Life is Strange, I finally found myself standing in the Pacific Northwest, living out the dream that started it all. My solo weekend in Portland, Oregon was like stepping into a moody indie film. I wandered art-filled streets, hunted down the city’s coffee shops, got lost in bookstores that smelled like magic, chased the coast out to Cannon Beach, and crossed the river to Washington to catch up with a friend I met on a cruise back in 2024!

☕Friday: Coffee Adventures and Hostel Life in Portland

When I was a senior in undergrad a classmate from the area told me, “You’d fit right in at Portland.” I didn’t understand what he meant until I walked out of the PDX airport gate. It looked like everyone from Tumblr 2012 moved here: utility jackets, beanies, tattoos. The second thing I noticed was stands everywhere selling rain jackets. I didn’t realize how much it rained in the PNW.

Portland’s public transportation is affordable + easy. It was only $2.80 to take the light rail from the airport to downtown, valid for a few hours instead of per ride. No need for a bus pass, all you need to do is tap your phone on the bus. I hopped off early before checking into my hostel to visit Tōv Coffee. The atmosphere looked like my room circa 2015 Tapestries, lamps, and cozy seating everywhere. It’s one of the most unique coffee shops I’ve been to and a must-do if you’re in the area.

I ordered their Arabic People Latte along with basbousa, an Egyptian almond honey cake that paired perfectly with the fragrant brew. I’ve had many, many coffees in my life. I can truthfully say this was one of the best. It was a travel moment where I suddenly feel at home in a city I’ve never been visited before. Downtown Portland and Hawthorne District are walkable, even in the rain.

Afterward, I made my way to Northwest Portland Hostel, my base for the weekend. It’s tucked into the Alphabet District, surrounded by leafy streets, boutique shops, and old homes turned into cafés. The hostel itself has that old-Portland charm. Exposed brick buildings, a courtyard strung with lights, and inviting communal spaces. Architecturally, it’s the most interesting hostel I’ve stayed at. It’s an old historic building converted into a shared space for travelers.

Northwest Portland Hostel hosts walking tours, wine nights, music performances throughout the week. They also have an on-site café where guests get discounts on breakfast! Staying at the hostel grants access to a plethora of other discounts, including car rentals, tours, and more.

I stayed in a six person female dorm. Lockers are in each room, and there are a bunch of cozy common areas + a big kitchen. The beds were comfy and had curtains! Anything you could possibly need, the hostel had available. Towels, locks, you name it. As a chronic towel-forgetter, this was music to my ears.

I loved staying in this hostel and would highly recommend staying here! The staff was incredibly welcoming, making me feel at home from the moment I stepped through the door. Thank you for giving me the best base for my solo trip to Oregon!

One of my hostel mates and I decided to go for a walk through downtown. We made our way to the Portland stag sign. It looked striking lit up against the night sky before heading over to Powell’s City of Books. Known as the world’s largest independent bookstore, it was easy to lose track of time wandering through the maze of color coded rooms and towering shelves.

Her and I grabbed dinner at Zab Pinto, a Thai restaurant in Downtown Portland. The food was delish and filling! Plus, it was only a short walk from our hostel.

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🌧️ Saturday: Cannon Beach and Coastal Adventures

Saturday morning I headed to Union Station after grabbing a coffee at the hostel. Portland is known for their mushroom coffee; I had to give it a try. The staff at the cafe was super friendly. Even though the chef wasn’t there yet (It was 7am and just opened), the cashier still made a parfait for me to have some fuel before the drive!

It was about a 20-minute walk (or 15-minute bus ride) from the hostel, and I caught the bus to Cannon Beach — $17 each way. Because it was a rainy morning, I took the bus. You can book transportation to the beach through the Amtrak app.

I arrived around 10:30. Cannon beach is a small beach town. It’s not hard to navigate, I wandered around the main street and found myself grabbing breakfast at Lazy Susan Cafe. I ordered their signature gingerbread pancakes topped with pears and yogurt. The restaurant was recommended to me and did not disappoint. Note: they’re cash only, but thankfully there’s an ATM right in front of the restaurant. It seemed to be the busiest restaurant in town. Totally worth the wait!

Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock

Cannon Beach is best known for Haystack Rock, the massive sea stack rising out of the shoreline. It’s one of Oregon’s most photographed spots and for a good reason. The rock stands 235 feet tall and can even be reached at low tide, where you’ll find tide pools filled with colorful starfish and anemones. The area’s cinematic beauty has made it a popular filming location, with scenes from Twilight and The Goonies shot nearby at Ecola State Park.

The beach was cold, windy, and intense. I actually ended up scratching my eyes because the sand was blowing so hard! It poured rain almost every hour, with tiny 5 minute breaks in between. Just as the day was winding down, we got a stunning sunset over the ocean. I felt like I was inside a Life is Strange scene, the sky lit in gold, the wind whipping around, and the day fading away.

More Town Exploration

I wandered around glass-blowing shops, quilt + book stores, and popped into Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters for a caffeine recharge. There’s only two stops by bus to Cannon Beach from Portland daily. The bus going home left at 6:50, which gave me a good day in this town. Though, I will say, everything closes around 3pm: making it a little difficult to find things to do after. Especially given the rain.

Reality check: solo travel can be lonely at times. I felt a little poignant watching the sunset alone; wishing I could have shared it with somebody. However, I reminded myself of why I do this. To learn to enjoy the simplicity of experiences: even if that means I am alone. I hear my thoughts more loudly. I feel the senses around me more deeply.

There is one restaurant called Screw and Brew (love the name, lol) that’s open later. It doubles as a hardware shop, fitting into the weird Portland vibe. The woman hosting graciously gave me a cup of coffee on her; it was a little act of kindness I’ll never forget. My hands were so cold. I sat at the bar and watched the football game with a few locals. LIS moment!

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🌉 Quick Stop in Vancouver, Washington + Denver

After soaking up the coast, I headed to Vancouver, Washington to catch up with a friend I met on a cruise back in 2024. It was a special little addition to the weekend. Reconnecting with someone who shares travel memories made the whole trip feel even more meaningful!

For my morning in Vancouver, Washington, my friend took me to a beloved local gem called Carol’s Corner Café. Endless coffee, the staff calls you “hon,” and the portions could feed an entire table. It’s a classic Pacific Northwest diner known for its heaping plates of hash browns, omelets, and cinnamon rolls.

🌧️ Reflections on Portland, Cannon Beach, and Rain

Looking back on the weekend, Portland and Cannon Beach were the perfect mix of adventure and calm. Even with the rain pouring on and off, I loved wandering the city streets, exploring quirky coffee shops, and chasing the coast where the wind blew the sand into my eyes. It reminded me why I love traveling solo: the freedom to follow my own curiosity, linger where I want.

Notes as a solo traveler:

Portland isn’t really what I’d classify as a “backpackers’ destination.” It’s more of a quaint, quirky city where most keep to themselves. That being said, everyone is very friendly and welcoming. It just wasn’t as social as other places I’ve visited. Though, this isn’t always a bad thing. I’ve learned to go into trips without expecting to meet anyone and solely focus on learning how to enjoy my own company as an extrovert.

When it comes to exploring, Portland wasn’t as “solo traveler friendly” as I hoped. A lot of tours on GetYourGuide and Viator required at least two people to book, which made planning activities tricky. I’d recommend booking any activities through Northwest Portland Hostel, I’m sure it’s easier to book through them!

I never once felt unsafe, even walking around at night. I wouldn’t say I’d recommend it, but I’d say that for any city. Portland makes you feel comfortable doing things alone, grabbing a coffee, getting lost in a bookstore, or sitting by a window watching the rain fall. It tested my comfort levels in a way I needed. Portland, you found a way to my heart and I’ll never forget the memories we shared.