Bend Oregon Travel Guide // Favorite places to eat in Bend
We LOVE Bend, we’ve been visiting several times a year for the last 5 years. We go in winter and summer but definitely prefer the warmer months where we can kayak SUP, fish, and ride bikes. The Mckenzie River trail is world-famous for mountain biking and there are SO many beautiful stops along the way up there but I’m not going to go into that location as it tends to be HEAVILY trafficked and I hate crowds. Since we drive up from Monterey we usually stop in Ashland for the night, from there the forest of Siskiyou is very close and is full of hidden gems, with no cell reception and almost no crowds. it’s the number one forest I want to explore more of! Don’t forget a paper map.
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Favorite things to do:
Elks Lake - the best beach-like shore aka the most fun for kids to splash around, bring floats and a cooler.
Hosmer Lake - is my absolute favorite to kayak or SUP !!! beautiful lily pads, baby ducks, and lots of fish.
Paulina Lake: There is a hot spring across the lake accessible by a hike or by kayaking across, unfortunately, every time I’ve tried to go the wind has been crazy.
Deschutes River: So many fun drop-in and pick-up spots to float the river. Pack lunch and drinks and make a day of it.
Staying in Sun River? Bring bikes, it’s so much fun biking around the village and it has extensive bike paths.
Sparks Lake: One of the prettiest lakes but watch out there are leaches here! Beautiful hikes around the lake.
Smith Rock State Park: Some of the prettiest hikes around. Beautiful rock formations with a river running through them.
Restaurants :
Jackson Corner - is my favorite quick lunch stop. Fresh bread, great sandwiches, and coffee.
Wild Rose- Some of the best Thai food with an excellent beer selection.
Spork - Asian fusion and its bomb and low key!
Ariana- Haven’t been but it’s on my list! Local friends love it.
Zydeco - Haven’t been but it’s on my list! Local friends love it.
Victorian Cafe - Great breakfast! Love their hollandaise.
McKay Cottage - is one of our favorite breakfast spots. Super cute atmosphere.
Breweries:
Crux - love their food and beer! much better than the beer you can buy in stores outside of Bend.
Sun River Brewery- Honestly this is where we eat most of the time simply because my dad’s cabin is in Sunriver and we are lazy! Decent food and great beer 30 min outside of Bend if you're stopping on your way from the lake or river. Great burger.
Hi! I’m Flora your california adventure photographer and guide!