Out near Hood River there’s a cluster of orchards and wineries along a 35-mile stretch of country roads. The area now goes by the attention-grabbing name the Fruit Loop. (There’s no sugar cereal, but there are plenty of sugary bakery items involved.)
It’s not far from Portland, but it feels like an escape, with stunning views of apple orchards, vineyards, and the mountains — on clear days. In the fall, you can even catch better weather than in Portland. It all makes the perfect fall getaway.
“ The Hood River Fruit Loop is just a really fun way to spend a day,” Bryan M. Vance of Stumptown Savings told the City Cast Portland podcast recently. “And it's also cool because you are supporting these small family-owned agricultural outfits that make where we live so unique.”
Vance offered a guide to the area:
🍏 Orchards
With so many places to choose from, here are some standout stops to check out:
It’s “a fifth-generation family farm with great views of the mountains,” says Vance.
They have pumpkins in addition to stone fruits and apples — with a u-pick option and a farm store. Bonus: There’s a playground for kids.
There are two locations. At the bakery, there are tasty treats, including a marionberry-and-cream empanada.
A little off the Fruit Loop track, the farm location has u-pick for apples, pumpkins, and corn. But what makes this location special is they also have a petting zoo and rides. “It’s a fun farm,” says Vance.
A classic stop on the Fruit Loop, the orchard has a wide variety of apples that you can taste-test in their farm store. You can pick your own too. Kiyokawa is a regular at Portland farmers markets; but you get a chance to sample their baked goods if you make the drive.
🍴 Food
There are a bunch of options including stopping in town before or after you head out to the orchards:
Broder Ost (Hood River)
Broder has an outpost in downtown Hood River, in a historic hotel. (The Broder chain always has a couple of unique dishes for each location — one more reason to stop for brunch.)
Grasslands Barbecue (Hood River)
It’s been named one of the best Texas barbecue spots outside the Lone Star state. Tip: It has limited hours and is only open on weekends.
The Mesquitery (Hood River)
The family-owned steakhouse — which also serves perogies and fettuccini pesto — cooks all its meat over mesquite wood. “It’s a great way to cap off a day,” says Vance.
Stave and Stone (Along Fruit Loop)
It’s a winery with extraordinary views. Tip: Make a reservation in advance and sit on the patio in good weather, when Mount Adams is visible.
Apple Valley BBQ (Parkdale)
They do a Northwest-style barbecue with predictable menu items, but they smoke their meat over cherry wood giving it a sweet flavor. They also offer some unique dishes like smoked meatloaf. It's geared to locals, not just visitors.
🍺 Drinks
In addition to Stave and Stone, there are vineyards and spots for hard cider made with local fruit. Here are two good picks:
Another place with lovely views, it’s known for hard cider and wine.
“Their standout is hard cider,” says Vance. They’ve created “boozy cider slushies” with fruit flavors. They also have u-pick and a farm store.
⭐ Bonus
If you’re looking for the perfect way to end the day, here’s one more place to stop:
They shut down in October, so check before you go or keep them in mind for next season. They make fresh-fruit soft serve, and they have a vintage shop. (Earlier in the season, they also have u-pick flowers.)
