Portland Coffee Tour 2025 - Part 4

Portland has one of the top coffee cultures in America. With approximately 600 independent coffee shops, it can be hard to choose a good one, though, to be honest, many of them are really good, so it's just a matter of location and vibes. I hit up some pretty vibe-y shops this month and also had one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. For as much coffee as I drink, that's saying a lot. 

So, next time you're in Portland, here are some of the places I visited and you might want to as well. 

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Well & Good Coffee

When you're out running errands, how do you not go get breakfast while you're out? That's what Eric and I did on a Saturday morning. This neighborhood coffee shop has parking and is located in Tigard. It's larger than most coffee shops and has a ton of seating. They have pretty good food menu, so we tried different things and also a "chuffin", which is their specialty chai muffin. Unfortunately, it just kinda tasted like a coffee cake muffin. It wasn't very spicy at all, but it was tasty.

Even though this place is on the larger side and has outdoor seating as well, it feels really cozy and has some different sitting areas to choose from.

Outside of the chuffin, I ordered the Peterson breakfast burrito with eggs and veggies in a spinach tortilla. It was really filling and was the perfect amount of spicy from the pepperjack cheese. I also got the special lavender rose latte. While not overpowering with the floral, it was balanced really well and easy to drink. Eric ordered a Sugar-free hazelnut latte and the Italy, a toasted Italian sandwich that I thought smelled and tasted pretty good. I'd absolutely make the effort to visit this place again.

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Soro Soro 

I have been meaning to go to this coffee and dessert shop for ages, but the last time I was over there to do it, I thought it was on a different street, and then we just went to actual lunch. This Asian-owned shop is very minimalist cutesy in the way that a lot of Japanese places feel. It has stuff you can buy from local arts and all the desserts are super colorful, like a rainbow layer cake. I wasn't in the mood for straight sugar, so I just took a peek at the drink menu and then looked around at the shelves of fun handmade items for sale.

I chose a hot pistachio cream latte. I was pleasantly surprised by what I was served. A perfect cup of coffee with oat milk with a float of cool pistachio cream on top. It layered on top without mixing with the hot coffee somehow. If you love pistachio, this is must-try drink. it was light and not too filling like it could have been. This is a great little shop to just come and chill in. I listened to a couple of girls that I think were on a first date at a nearby table. That's the kind of place this is. Great for a first date and great for a solo coffee drinker.

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No Preference Coffee

It may be called No Preference, but I definitely have a preference, and it's this coffee shop over almost any other shop when I'm in Portland proper. It's crazy, because there are probably 5 or 6 shops within a few blocks here, so it's fighting for real estate here. It's also right next to one of the most popular brunch restaurants in the city. There's always a line. I get it, I love brunch, and Screen Door has some great food, but if you aren't dying for eggs benny or a mimosa, I'd pop over and get an excellent cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. 

This shop looks smaller from the outside, but it has a little side room that feels like walking into a wine cellar. It's really cozy and the owner is fantastic. He used to work with the owner of Ki Coffee near where I live, which I may not have ever reviewed, so look for that, soon. They both left an electronics store to become coffee shop owners and I think that was a good use of both of their talents. 

I looked at the specials board here and the ube blossom latte caught my eye, so I ordered one of those with oat milk and a bacon breakfast sandwich. Not only did this turn out to be the absolute prettiest coffee I've ever been served, but was just as delicious. This breakfast sandwich may not look like much, but the two together were an amazing meal and I'd kind of like to go try one of the others, too. Honestly, this shop gets an 11/10 from me. 

I've got plans for some interesting visits next month, so stay tuned. We'll see if they can hit this high bar set this month.

Tell me about some of your favorite coffee shops or cafes from where you live or your travels.

Adventure Travel: Why Staying in Cabins is the Perfect Outdoor Escape

Adventure travel can bring you closer to the world, but just because you are heading out on an adventure, it doesn’t mean you can’t add a little bit of luxury to it. One of the best ways to do it is by staying in a cozy cabin.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-house-on-orange-leaf-trees-206648/

Cabins offer the perfect mix of outdoor exploration and indoor comfort, making them a great choice for any traveler. If you are someone who loves a good adventure but doesn’t want to give up the luxuries of home, then a cabin could be the perfect choice. Let's look at this in more detail below:

Freedom to Explore

When you stay in a cabin, you have the freedom to plan your days your way—no strict schedules or packed lobbies, just you, fresh air, and endless trails to discover. You can hike at sunrise, kayak at noon, and sit by a campfire at night. Every day offers something new just outside your door.

Comfort Without Compromise

Adventure doesn't have to mean sleeping on the ground. Cabins give you a real bed, a private bathroom, and a kitchen. After a long day outdoors, there's nothing better than a hot shower, a home-cooked meal, and a soft bed. You experience the wilderness without sacrificing the comfort that makes rest and relaxation possible.

Discover Hidden Spots

Staying in a cabin means staying close to nature's hidden treasures. Choose a cabin near a quiet lake, a winding trail, or a secluded forest. You can explore places most tourists miss, waking up each day to a different kind of beauty. Small towns, scenic byways, and off-the-map adventures are all within easy reach.

Cabins Make Adventures Simple

Booking a cabin takes the stress out of planning. Nothing to set up when you arrive, you can just get on with your vacation and start enjoying your time away. Most cabins come with basic amenities like heat, air conditioning, and a full kitchen. You can focus on making memories, not making camp.

Adventure for Everyone’s Style

Cabins work for all kinds of travelers. Families appreciate the space and safety, couples enjoy privacy and romance, and solo travelers find peace and solitude. Many cabins are pet-friendly, so your four-legged companion can join the fun too. Adventure looks different for everyone, and a cabin stay lets you shape the experience your way.

Adventure on Your Doorstep

Cabins put you close to some of the best outdoor activities. You can step right out of your door and start a hike, cast your fishing line, or hop on a mountain bike trail. Many cabin locations offer you boat rentals, horseback riding, sledding, and more.

Adventure is only ever a few steps away when you choose to stay in locations with cabins. Cabins are a simple way to dive into adventure travel while keeping comfort close. If you want to explore beautiful places and sleep under the stars, but with a roof over your head, a cabin is the perfect choice for your next trip.

Have you ever stayed in a cabin? It would be great to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Planning Your 2025 Summer Vacation

If you haven't planned your summer travels yet, that's okay, but you also need to get on it. The closer we get to June, the more expensive flights and hotels are going to get. Do you need a little bit of a kick in the pants? Maybe some suggestions for where to go? Or some tips to make your trip more affordable?

If you're still hoping to go somewhere when the kids get out of school, and not spend every dollar you have, then I've got some great tips for you:

Book ASAP

Make sure you're getting on booking things you need as soon as you can, because you don't want to end up spending twice as much as you have to. Look to book your airfare Tuesday, Wednesday, or even Sunday. These are when the sales are out, but definitely sign up for emails for your preferred home airport to destination airport. This way, you'll be the first to know when there are deals. It's generally cheaper to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, so I always try to fit my trip in between some combo of those days. 

Go Sooner Or Later

Mid-June through mid-August is peak summer travel times. If you can go at the beginning of June or the end of August, you might be able to get a deal and beat some of the worst crowds. And if you can go before before Memorial Day, not only will you save a lot more, you'll also need to book everything, like, yesterday. 

Book a Ride-Share Car

Need a rental car? Then skip the traditional rental companies if you can. They are still charging vast amounts of money for their shrunken fleets. I have almost exclusively used Turo for the last 5-6 years, but you can also rent through Uber now, too. These are basically Airbnb, but for cars. I've saved half off traditional rental rates this way. If you're looking for a less expensive, but more convenient rental experience from a more traditional company, check out Kyte, where they will bring the car to you.

Get Online Discounts

If you're looking to do a bunch of stuff on your trip, then see if you can get a discount by booking ahead online before you go. You can easily find promo codes for things as you're booking them, especially if you're using Chrome extensions like Honey or Rakuten, which will try all available codes at checkout. Not only that, but you'll get cashback on your purchases where these are available and save twice.

Go somewhere different

Your kids are always going to want to go to theme parks or the beach during the summer, but by changing up your destination, you can actually save a little or a lot of money. If they insist on going to the beach, look for lakeside resorts near where you live. Most still have a beach and everything that goes along with it, unless surfing is on the agenda. Other ideas are to visit cold-weather destinations or South America. The Southern Hemisphere experiences winter during our summer, making it a less desirable place to vacation. Less desirable equals more affordable. South America is close, but there are so many different places to choose from that are amazing, tropical and super budget-friendly.

Some great budget-friendly destinations for the summer broken down by month:

June: Bali, Dublin, Krakow, Japan, Las Vegas, Mexico, New York City, Portugal, San Diego, Toronto, Vietnam, Washington (State)

July: Brazil, Chicago, Costa Rica, Dallas, Denver, Ecuador, Georgia (State), Hungary, Morocco, Myrtle Beach, Nepal, New Orleans, Thailand

August: Bulgaria, Colombia, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, Gatlinburg, Georgia (country), Las Vegas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Turkey (Turkiye)

Consider an RV Adventure

If you’re looking for a flexible and budget-friendly way to travel this summer, why not consider a road trip and stay at an RV park? Renting or borrowing an RV gives you the freedom to explore hidden gems off the beaten path, avoid expensive hotel stays, and cook your own meals on the go. Whether you’re chasing mountain views, national parks, or quiet lakeside mornings, there are thousands of RV parks across the country that offer scenic, family-friendly accommodations. This kind of trip is especially ideal for families who want adventure on their own schedule without blowing the budget.

If you need a lot more summer travel tips, don't forget to check out my summer travel ebook and look for more ideas on where to go, how/what to pack, and other ways to save on all your trips. I also send out other travel tips that you won't find on the blog through my newsletter. 

I'll be spending some time in Sacramento in July. Where will your summer travels take you this year? Tell me in the comments!

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