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Useful Information to Know for Your Visit to Portland

Information on parking, weather and attire, what to bring, etc. Please contact us with any questions you may have that aren't answered below.

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Dressing for the Weather

I am sure that many of you are aware that Portland has a great reputation for being rainy and cool. While we expect and hope for warm, sunny days it would be a good idea to pack some rain gear and a sweater or two or a light coat just in case the weather isn't so sunny. Temperatures can run anywhere from the mid-60's to the 80's so be prepared for both.

Name Tags

Everyone at the seminar will have a nametag with your city of residence. Please let us know the names of all who are coming when you register and bring your nametag with you each seminar day. Part of the fun at the seminars is seeing how many people have traveled to Oregon from your city or state. If you would like this nametag changed in any way please let us know. 

Seminar Days

Please arrive early on the first day of your seminar to check in at the registration table and pick up any handouts. For your comfort, you might plan on bringing a cushion for your back since you will most likely be sitting on a metal chair with little padding.

Meals

All of our lunches will be vegetarian and some of the dishes will contain eggs, milk or cheese. Our cook Louise Rose is famous for her cooking and many of our workshop and seminar attendees joke with us that they come to our events for the meals and stay for the talk.

Parking

The cathedral has parking lots to the east and south of our buildings. Parking is limited so if at all possible it is a good idea to take public transportation. Links to our public transit system can be found on our Directions page.

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Restaurants in the Neighborhood – Our Favorites

Here is a listing of some of our favorite restaurants in the neighborhood around the Cathedral. The streets in Portland’s northwest neighborhood are alphabetical starting with Burnside and numerical starting with the Willamette River. We are on 19th and Everett, the next street to the north is Flanders. Burnside is the dividing line between northwest and southwest Portland.

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Fun Places to Visit in the Portland Area

Portland Saturday Market – Under the Burnside Bridge on First Avenue
An open-air market of over 300 artist and craftpersons.
Hours: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
                Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm
Cost:      Free

Portland Art Museum – 1219 SW Park Avenue
The will be showing an exhibit of photographs of Tibet, China and Mongolia taken by two American explorers during their 1,300-mile journey on foot, mule, camel and raft from 1921-1925.
Hours:  Tues, Wed and Sat., 10am – 5pm
                Thurs & Fri, 10am – 8pm
                Sun, Noon – 5pm
Cost:      $10 Adults, $9 Seniors 55+

The Japanese Gardens – In Portland’s Washington Park
Has been described as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Designed by Professor Takuma Tono, an internationally renowned authority on Japanese garden landscaping in 1967, this garden has five formal garden styles set on five and one-half acres: the Strolling Pond Garden, the Natural Garden, the Sand and Stone Zen Garden, the Flat Garden and the Tea Garden.
Hours:  Tues – Sun, 10am – 7pm
                Mon, Noon – 7pm
Cost:      $6.75 Adults, $5 Seniors 62+

Oregon Historical Society – 1200 SW Park Avenue
Everything you ever wanted to know about Oregon’s history.
Hours:  Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm
                Sun, Noon – 5pm
Cost:      $8 Adults, $7 Seniors 60+

Pittock Mansion – 3229 SW Pittock Drive (in the hills above the Cathedral)
A fully furnished, magnificent, turn-of-the century, architectural treasure offering a sweeping view of the surrounding Cascade Mountains and the City of Portland. Built by one of Oregon’s Timber Barrons.
Hours:  11am – 4pm, Daily
Cost:      $6 Adults, $5 Seniors 65+

Classical Chinese Garden – NW 3rd & Everett
An authentically built Ming Dynasty style garden with covered walkways, bridges, open colonnades, pavilions and a planted landscape framed Zither Lake. Built by Suzhou artisans on and city block.
Hours:  9am – 6pm, Daily
Cost:      $7 Adults, $6 Seniors

And for the Really Adventurous…

The Columbia Gorge
A geologic marvel just to the east of Portland where the Columbia River and glaciers have cut through basalt rock to create a beautiful gorge with many waterfalls, great hiking trails, some that can be hiked in less than 2 hours, and awe inspiring vistas. If you have the time it is well worth visiting. The fast route is to take Highway 80 east to the Multnomah Falls exit (approximately 30 miles). A slower and more interesting route is to take the Historic Columbia Rive Highway that features distinctive Florentine viaducts crafted by Italian stonecutters in the early 1900’s. Journeying on Highway 80 east to exit 17 accesses this highway.

Oregon’s Wine Country
Oregon grows some of the finest Pinot Noir grapes in the West. We have close to 20 (maybe more by now) wineries in the Tualatin River Valley to the southwest of Portland. Most of these wineries are located off of Highway 99W and most are open daily or at least Tuesday through Sunday. If you are interested we can direct you to this route, a little tricky to find but not so difficult as to be daunting.

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