Hood River Hood River takes its name from the clear-running mountain river that flows down from Mt. Hood to meet the Columbia River. Timber, orchards and fruit packing were Hood River’s mainstays until the 1980s, when it earned a new reputation as one of the world’s top windsurfing destinations. In subsequent decades, the community’s appeal has grown as strong as the prevailing west wind. Today Hood River draws a variety of outdoor enthusiasts and has evolved into a diverse, year-round visitor destination. Thanks to Columbia Area Transit buses and trolleys, you don’t even need a car to explore Hood River’s compact downtown, its lively waterfront area six blocks north, the Heights along 12th and 13th streets, and the Upper Valley. The waterfront and downtown areas are also connected by a walking path. You’re almost guaranteed to witness some sort of outdoor recreation along the Columbia River waterfront: cyclists and runners along the waterfront path, fly-fishers in the Hood River, stand-up paddleboards and outrigger canoes plying the Columbia River on flatwater days, and world-class kiteboarders performing huge aerial tricks on windy ones. You might also see sports you’ve never witnessed before. Thanks to so many local water-sport manufacturers and pro athletes, Hood River is often on the leading edge of new trends. Wing foiling is the latest craze, enabling wind-powered boards to levitate above the water. Lessons and rental gear are available along the waterfront or in town for almost any sport that piques your interest. Hood River celebrates time-tested forms of transportation, too. The Mount Hood Railroad chugs up the Hood River Valley on two-hour scenic train excursions, and Hood River is a regular port of call for scenic riverboat cruises. Downtown gear shops, gift stores, boutiques and galleries fill turn-of-the-20th-century storefronts for fun and eclectic shopping. Within a couple of blocks, you can pick up one-ofa-kind artworks created by local makers, a sassy new scarf or hat, paddling gear, or a Sasquatch souvenir. Dining and drinking options are just as diverse, with every option from tap houses to wine-tasting rooms, fine dining to food-cart pods. Plenty of spots offer outdoor seating to take advantage of Hood River’s mild climate, a pleasant transition zone between temperate forest and the semi-arid plateau that begins east of the county. The Mt. Hood Scenic Byway and the Historic Columbia River State Trail both pass through Hood River, showcasing the surrounding natural beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River Valley. CLOCKWISE: VISIT HOOD RIVER (2); PICKLES PHOTOGRAPHY; VISIT HOOD RIVER Broder Øst Ruddy Duck Oak Street Columbia River 12 Visit Hood River Travel Guide
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