This new edition has been completely updated with dozens and dozens of new listings. These entries are my recommendations for the best places to eat, sleep, play and relax in our great state. Find the best seafood shacks on the coast. Learn about a remote cattle ranch where you can dig for your own thundereggs (our state rock). From trendy bistros to historic lighthouses, from gleaming new hotels to log cabin hideouts, from county fairs and festivals to Willamette Valley wineries, brew pubs and unique retail stores – each place and activity I suggest (over 700 descriptive reviews) is worthy of your time and hard-earned dollars. No region of the state has been overlooked.

Growing up in a “department store” family with roots in Oregon long before it was a state, I developed a certain savvy for retail salesmanship. I later spent a good part of my life as chief of staff to the late Senator Mark Hatfield. Working together for a quarter century, we visited every corner of Oregon’s geography on constituent swings. For over 30 years now I have been writing for The Oregonian Travel Section, furthering my knowledge of Oregon’s nooks and crannies. It is these adventures and experiences – as well as the recommendations and memories of friends, colleagues and readers – that I drew upon to form the basis of Gerry Frank’s Oregon.

And it has been a huge success. I have been overwhelmed by the positive response to the first three editions. I hope you enjoy this new edition as much as I did bringing it to you.