13 images show Oregon is the best

MOST OF US make plans to hit the road during the summer, but there are plenty of reasons to consider the off seasons. Oregon is no exception. Head over in June and you’ll just precede the crush of tourists looking to kick off the summer in early July. There’s more reasons to hit up Oregon in June than we can count, but here’s our top 13!
1. The surf’s still up with a few final spring storms, but many breaks are calming down enough for beginners.

Surf's up by Alex B on 500px

2. There’s still some snow on the peaks, despite the increasingly mild-to-warm weather June brings.

Three Sisters Sunset Aerial by shuttereye1 on 500px

3. Which can help make the epic views (such as this one of Mount Hood) just that little bit more epic.

Lost by Alex Noriega on 500px

4. Speaking of Mount Hood, you may have the trails and views to yourself (or at least, you and the locals).

Edge of the Earth (rework) by Zack Schnepf on 500px

5. The snow that has melted through the spring ensures the waterfalls (like Proxy Falls) are thundering along.

There's a Giant by Kristina Wilson on 500px

6. The farmers’ markets are in full swing, making gorging on fresh food easier than ever.

Eugene Farmer's Market by Quentin Furrow on 500px

7. As the weather lightens up, barbecue season arrives with guns blazing.

Summer Time by Kieran Henthorn on 500px

8. It’s the perfect temperature for a bike ride, especially if you plan to partake in the annual Portland Naked Bike Ride (this year: June 27th). Go “as bare as you dare!”

Parked by Roy Dufek on 500px

9. It’s also great weather for a stroll… such as marching in the annual Pride Parade (this year: June 14th)

Portland Pride Festival by Raed Shomali on 500px

10. Take in the famous Grand Floral Parade, part of the Portland Rose Festival, an annual two week-long party celebrating the “City of Roses.” Known to include various parades, dragon boat races, art shows, bands and live music, various competitions, and some years, a zombie walk. (Late May to mid June)

Portland Grand Floral Parade 2014 by Peng Ge on 500px

11. Bandon Beach is still relatively free of the summer tourists.

Bandon Reflections by Scott Smorra on 500px

12. The days are warm but the nights are perfect for gathering around a fire.

Makin' S'mores by Chloe Veltkamp on 500px

13. And the sunsets — like this one in Samuel Boardman State Park — are known to deliver, night after night.

Silent Witness by Howard Snyder on 500px