People talk about downsizing, but can they really squeeze into a smaller space with their stuff?
Is a tiny house even doable? Test it out.
In this week's getaway galley, we look at a wide range of dwellings with less than 400 square feet under the roof.
People do live comfortably in bitty abodes. Tiny house pioneer and author Dee Williams of PAD (Portland Alternative Dwellings) became famous for living for a decade with her dog in a handmade home with 86 square feet of space.
At conferences around the world, Williams would point to a full-size bed sheet laying before her. "That's my life-size floor plan," she said. "Take a tour." She has since downsized to 56 square feet.
No wonder Portland is considered a tiny house epicenter.
Kindred Spirits Cabin in the Applegate Valley
The first tiny house hotel sprang up in Portland. Others have followed and many homeowners have created comfy structures on their property that are for rent.
We spanned the state and went beyond Oregon's borders to find unique tiny homes that you can stay in short term, for fun or when planning for the future.
This bijou abode is near the Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve and the Valley of the Rogue State Park.
One wall of the cabin is glass to allow occupants to feel as if they're outside. There is also a deck.
From here, tour Applegate Valley wineries or take horse riding sessions ($25 an hour).
• Around $75 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Kindred Spirits Cabin in the Applegate Valley
Sun Tiny A-Frame Cabin/Hipcamp
Sun Tiny A-Frame Cabin in Cave Junction
Inventive A-Frame cabins are nestled in Cedar Bloom farm's forest sanctuary on the Illinois River with a private beach and nearby swimming hole.
Cabins' front can be closed off for privacy or opened to the deck.
Inside are two twin-size mattresses. It's a short walk to the main house, kitchen, compost toilet, shower house and sauna.
The property off the Redwood Highway (U.S. Route 199) is close to the Redwoods, Oregon Caves, Grants Pass, Medford, Crescent City and Ashland.
• Around $95 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Sun Tiny A-Frame Cabin/Hipcamp
Sun Tiny A-Frame Cabin in Cave Junction
The sauna at Cedar Bloom is as cute as the modern A-frame tiny cabins.
Luxurious tiny home in the Santa Cruz Mountains
The 260-square-foot Alpha house, in a sunny mountain clearing, was designed by David Latimer and has been profiled on HGTV's "Tiny House Big Living" and in Architectural Digest.
There is a high-end hot tub, pool and outdoor area for grilling and games.
The main house is also a vacation rental.
• Around $213 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Luxurious tiny home in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Light and Bright Tiny Home/Vrbo
Tiny Home near S.W. Portland
The 148-square-foot tiny house on wheels has a bedroom on the main floor and a deck overlooking the woods.
Drive to Portland, wineries or just relax.
• Around $69 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Light and Bright Tiny Home/Vrbo
Tiny Home near S.W. Portland
Mt Hood View Tiny House/Airbnb
Tiny house in Sandy with Mount Hood view
The tiny house, a mile from the Mount Hood Highway (U.S. 26), is hidden on 23 private acres. A moving window wall system completely opens to the outdoors.
• Around $115 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Mt Hood View Tiny House/Airbnb
Tiny house in Sandy with Mount Hood view
Tiny house in Portland's Alberta Arts District
This tiny house is near shops, cafes, pubs as well as McMenamins Kennedy School Hotel's soaking pool.
There is a patio and shared backyard area with a chicken coop and urban vegetable garden.
• Around $59 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Tiny house in Portland's Alberta Arts District
Moss Rock Retreat in SE Portland
The tiny home nests in an acre of land with lush, hillside gardens 25 minutes from downtown Portland. Nearby is the Leach Botanical Garden and Powell Butte trails. The Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood and the Willamette Valley are an hour away.
• Around $39 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Moss Rock Retreat in SE Portland
Ye Olde Tiny House/Airbnb
Ye Olde Tiny House near the Alberta Arts District
The 300-square-foot tiny house with 10-foot-tall cedar ceilings is near the Alberta Arts District and 15 minutes from the PDX airport, downtown Portland and the Moda Center.
There is a fire table in the front courtyard, and blankets and cushions are in storage box outside the tiny house.
• Around $75 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Ye Olde Tiny House/Airbnb
Ye Olde Tiny House near the Alberta Arts District
Driftwood at Tiny Tranquility in Waldport
The Driftwood is one of a family of tiny homes within Tiny Tranquility Tiny House & Vintage RV Park, the first of its kind on the Oregon Coast.
• Around $99 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Driftwood at Tiny Tranquility in Waldport
Unique and Secluded AirShip/Airbnb
And if you really want to get away: Zoom to the Airship with views of the Scottish highland and the Sound of Mull.
The insulated aluminum pod, designed by Roderick James, sits on a four-acre site.
• Around $196 a night on average, depending on travel dates
Unique and Secluded AirShip/Airbnb
You can't rent the Lunar Lander tiny home, but you can visit it:
Naval architect Kurt Hughes has been building nerdy stuff since he was in high school, but his latest, greatest project has taken off: A 250-square-foot tiny house on the Columbia River in Eastern Washington he designed and built somewhat as a replica of NASA's lunar module spacecraft.
Read more about the Lunar Lander Dwelling elevated on steel legs and how to drop by to see it.
Dozens of Oregon getaways let you soak in natural hot springs: Ease into the new year by soaking the day away at Crane Hot Springs, a getaway off Oregon Route 78 east of Burns that The Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale calls "an oasis."
If you're too relaxed to leave a cedar tub bubbling with mineral water from natural hot springs ($15 an hour) or the soothing, 101-degree pool ($10 for four hours), stay overnight inside a rustic room or tepee, or set up a tent or park your RV at one of the campsites.
Perhaps you'd like to explore beyond the remote resort? The slow winter season in southeast Oregon's high desert will allow time to learn about the area's fascinating prehistoric history and other places to soak.
Here are different ways to stay in Harney County.
10 cozy, cool, crazy cabin vacation getaways: Escape to Oregon mountains and lakes or the California desert
The need to be in nature may be strong, but there are so many ways to relax amid towering trees in the mountains or next to a lake.
In this week's vacation getaway roundup, we look at cabins of all kinds, from a classic A-frame in a forest to a modern dwelling in the desert.
Rustic or luxury? Cozy or expansive? It's up to you to decide: Are you dreaming of a romantic escape or group reunion?
Escape to one of Oregon's wacky, funky, adorable getaways for rent like this quaint, solar-powered cabin near Vancouver.
Getaways mean more than staying in a different shelter. Vacations are supposed to be physical and mental escapes from real life.
If you truly want an experience that's unlike the place you lay your head, check out Oregon's wacky, funky, adorable lodging, from a Swiss Family Robinson luxury tree resort to an off-the-grid yurt.
How about sleeping in a teepee on a yak ranch in Bend?
In this week's home stay gallery, we check out 10 oddball abodes that you can check into.
Hilltop Treehouse Retreat in Lopez Island/Airbnb
10 cool treehouses: These elevated vacation getaways are for rent
Do we really ever grow out of wanting a treehouse? A vacation rental might answer that question.
In this week's getaway roundup, we look at 10 vacation rentals, near and far, designed to elevate your point of view.
These modern dwellings in mostly remote forests are perfect perches for birdwatchers and nature lovers, but they're not always easy to reach. They're rustic and may offer waterfront views but not indoor running water.
What unifies them? They're cozy.
10 glamorous historic mansions and homes for rent: Are you curious about what luxury looked like a century ago and how it feels today? In this week's home stay getaway gallery, we peek into 10 historic mansions and homes that you can rent for a day or longer.
Modern kitchen appliances including a fridge mean you won't have to call the iceman or bring in wood to start the stove. Instead, cuddle into a wingback chair by the fireplace and read a classic.
Dome Sweet Dome -- a must experience!
Bend ranks 4th in U.S. as a vacation rental hot spot. Here are 10 getaways, from funky to fancy: Bend residents may feel as if at least one person in their neighbor is renting out a room or a whole house to tourists. And they may be right.
A study released Wednesday found that Bend has 1,658 Airbnb listings per 50,000 people, which vaults the city on the Deschutes River to the fourth most saturated vacation rental market among more than 750 U.S. cities, according to IPX1031, an investment property exchange service.
When active home rental listings were compared to the population, three Florida cities took top place: Miami Beach came in first with 3,416 listings per 50,000 people. Kissimme, near the Walt Disney World Resort, came in second with 2,880 listings per 50,000 residents and third-place Sarasota, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, has 2,234 listings per 50,000 people.
Across the continent in Bend, there are places to rent through Airbnb, Vacasa or VRBO near the river and close to downtown, from massive estates to tiny houses.
Prospect Historic Hotel Bed and Breakfast Inn
10 snowy getaways near Crater Lake get you close to free ranger tours: Are you ready to be whisked off on snowshoes to explore corners of Crater Lake? Rangers offer free tours and equipment, but you'll need to get there first since the Crater Lake Lodge and all park campgrounds are closed until late May.
There are winter lodging options near and far like Diamond Lake Resort. Here are 10 snowy getaways.
The entrance road to park headquarters and Rim Village usually remains open year-round, and a discounted $15 entrance fee allows you to explore on your own or go on a free ranger-led snowshoe tour, says Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale. For tour dates, visit nps.gov/crla or call 541-594-3000.
10 vacation getaways to join Mount Hood's New Year's Eve parties: Are you searching for a memorable way to watch the dawn of a new decade? How about ringing in 2020 from Oregon's tallest mountain?
All three of Mount Hood's major ski resorts -- Mt. Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood Skibowl and Timberline Lodge -- host New Year's Eve parties, each with night skiing, entertainment, food and fireworks, reports Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale.
In this week's vacation roundup, we look at 10 different ways to stay near the slopes, from a luxury chalet to a ski-in cabin.
Heceta Lighthouse B&B
10 Oregon coast getaways to enjoy a Victorian-style Christmas at the Heceta Head Lighthouse: Lighthouses are a beacon to captains and people curious about these rare, old navigational towers.
If you've never gazed out to sea from a 200-foot-tall vantage point at night, here's your chance: You can enter the Heceta Head Lightstation on Oregon's central coast during the 24th Annual Victorian Christmas Open House from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15.
The festive event starts at the Heceta Lighthouse B&B, in the 125-year-old Queen Anne-style keeper's quarters, which is decorated for the holidays. Santa Claus, music and goodies will fill the scene.
Bundle up and stay overnight. Here are 10 vacation homes for rent, from a vintage Airstream to a contemporary house, near Florence and Yachats.
10 Oregon coast getaways to see Shore Acres' stunning holiday light display: If you're looking for a place that's all aglow for the holidays, Shore Acres State Park's display of 325,000 decorative lights on the southern Oregon coast will blow you away.
Volunteers and park rangers have been hosting Holiday Lights at Shore Acres since 1987.
The free event takes place daily from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve at the park, which is three miles south of the small fishing town of Charleston and 12 miles southwest of the city of Coos Bay.
Here are 10 vacation stays, from a camper to a midcentury modern house, near the stunning holiday light display, which continues through Dec. 31.
10 accessible Airbnb rentals in Portland, Palm Springs and London: Srin Madipalli is a devoted world traveler who uses a wheelchair. To make it easier to find accessible lodging when booking online, he co-created Accomable, an online resource that was acquired by Airbnb in 2017.
Since then, Madipalli, who heads Airbnb's accessibility team, has refined the homestay rental company's search filters to help people with disabilities and their families find places that can be easily enjoyed without steps or stairs, and other accommodations.
"No two people with a disability are the same, so we offer 27 accessibility filters for a spectrum of needs, and we're working on more," says Madipalli.
Sunny studio with private deck/Vacasa
Here are 10 ideal Airbnb rentals for sweet Cannon Beach getaways: For people who dream of having a beach house, an Oregon Coast vacation rental is a sweet substitute.
In addition to hotels and B&B, Cannon Beach visitors can check into a cottage or condo, wrapped in classic cedar shingles and equipped with a kitchenette and patio, that's operated by hospitality professionals as well as homeowners with space to spare.
Airbnb's research found visitors book their Cannon Beach getaway at least two months before their trip. Nightly rentals are restricted and people devoted to special events like the crowd-pleasing Sandcastle Contest and hilarious corgi run race to reserve a place.
Luxury Retreat with Natural Hot Tub/HomeAway
10 vacation rentals with closeup views of Oregon’s fabulous fall colors
If you live in Oregon, you can look out almost any window and see greenery. Starting now through mid-October, you'll also see bronze, crimson and golden autumn leaves.
Luxury Wine Country Retreat/VRBO
10 luxury home rentals let you dream big on vacation: Vacations are supposed to be a fantasy come true. Yet, most of us stick somewhat to a budget. But ... we can dream.
Here are 10 luxury home rentals that cost more for one day than most people's monthly housing expenses. Still, there's something appealing about looking at perfect scenery from a secluded perch surrounded by nature and deluxe perks (yes, a butler).
In time for holiday giving – or making plans for a wedding or family reunion – we spotlight off-the-charts, Neiman Marcus fantasy gift level of getaways to rent, in Oregon and once-in-a-lifetime, fabulous destinations.
Monroe Studio~Modern Cozy Gem!/Airbnb
Airbnb picks the West Coast's top destination, and it's Eugene: These are the most wish-listed rentals Of Airbnb's more than 7 million homestays scattered across the world, which West Coast city rose to the top as a destination more people want to visit in 2020?
The reasons? Travelers like to be around nature and big events, says the lodging company. Green-thinking Eugene has both hiking trails and the University of Oregon's constant activities.
Where to stay for Willamette Valley’s Wine Country Thanksgiving: From a tiny house to vineyard villa
Thanksgiving weekend in Oregon's wine-growing regions is an action-packed chance for patrons of pinot noir and other varietals to barrel taste this year's vintage as flavors mature and to enjoy food pairings with bottles that have been released (and perhaps are on sale).
More than 140 Willamette Valley wineries will host events in tasting rooms and cellars during Wine Country Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 1.
After stops at scenic vineyards to swirl, sniff and sip, you might want to stay over a night or two. Here are 10 vacation homes for rent, from a tiny abode to a contemporary villa.
10 spirited vacation rentals to stay in St. Helens as HalloweenTown takes over
Portland is only 30 miles south of St. Helens, making day-tripping easy. But during the October-long Spirit of HalloweenTown festival, which starts Saturday, Oct. 5, visitors may want to linger into the chill of the night, when costumed characters re-enact scenes from movies filmed here, like the "Twilight" vampire saga and the bewitching "HalloweenTown."
Visitors will also learn about space alien invasions and see creepy stuff in the Museum of Peculiarities & Oddities.
The festival is packed with lively activities and most fans know to book lodging early, says Tina Curry of Discover Columbia County. But there are still offbeat and conventional places to stay if you want to join the nightly ghostly walk.
These 5 vacation rentals are hauntingly close to scary movie locations: In the chilling days leading to Halloween, horror movie fans might want to linger on a dead-end street and other places that cinematically spooked them, and then turn their nightmares into dream vacations.
For this week's vacation getaway roundup, we turned to Portland-based Vacasa to find five places to stay that are hauntingly close to scary film locations, in Oregon and spots for those who may want to creep over state lines.
Tiny new cabin in the Mount Adams Outpost: Getaway has tiny cabins in nature to rent outside of Portland as well as Los Angeles, New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
The Mount Adams Outpost is an 80-acre property with handcrafted, dog-friendly hideaways for two to four people. Each one has a fire pit, grilling grate and a picnic table.
Inside the 140 to 200 square feet of living space are either one or two queen-size beds plus a mini kitchen, electric toilet, shower and a cellphone lockbox.
• Cabin that accommodates two to four guests
• $99-$209 a night depending on travel dates
Double O Seven Yacht/Airbnb
Vacation getaways: Yachts, yurts and other unusual Oregon home rentals: To celebrate a seriously special occasion, you can charter the Disco Volante, a 45-foot yacht with three levels of luxury. We're talking swim platforms and sun pads, and a ban on red wine and orange Cheetos to protect the pricey teak and tan finishes.
The cost: $999 for two hours then $299 for each additional hour, including the services of a licensed captain.
Or, if you want to pretend to pilot a vessel, there are landlocked pleasure boats on Airbnb or other vacation rental sites.
Vrbo's 2020 Trend Report found a 30% increase in traveler demand for houseboats, yachts, RVs and Airstreams, aka "land yachts," compared to last year.
In this week's getaway galley, we look at these movable homes plus quirky yurts.
The Little Owl Cabin/Airbnb
Where are you heading? What's your favorite home rental?
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