Portland, OR

This quirky-cool city possesses a unique fusion of urban and natural. Downtown Portland is full of large buildings and interesting people, while the quaint neighborhood of St. John's, Portland is home to local eateries and stores. Their numerous bridges, hiking trails, and the bluff make Portland the perfect spot if you want to be in a big city without feeling overwhelmed by a lack of nature - here you can find both without having to travel many miles. Also note that Portland is the "dream of the 90s." (Portlandia fans?) Hipsters are real and I've never seen so many vegan/organic/wholesale/locally grown/locally owned places in my life.

Views from the St. John's Bridge

Does this bridge remind you of another iconic bridge? If it's the Golden Gate Bridge, then you're spot on because they shared the same architect. 

Views of snowcapped Mt. Hood in the distance above the city.

Views from an observatory near Multnomah Falls.

Multnomah Falls (hiked to the top of that bad boy)

Metropolitan downtown Portland

Below St. John's Bridge

The Bluff