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Sarah Vanbuskirk

Sarah Vanbuskirk is an Oregon-based contributor to Only In Your State who has covered the Beaver State extensively, from Portland's urban parks and crystal-clear mountain lakes to summer road trips and the state's most beloved natural wonders. Her work brings a Pacific Northwest local's perspective to travel storytelling.

Food
Bakeries & Dessert

This Michigan Dairy Bar Has Been Scooping Ice Cream For 80 Years—And I Keep Going Back For More

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Sep 18
A quaint ice cream shop with a large ice cream cone mascot, featuring outdoor seating and families enjoying treats.
Food

Indulge In A Delicious, Hearty Homestyle Breakfast At This Popular Oregon Coast Eatery

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Aug 26
A small white building with an "OPEN" sign, featuring holiday wreaths and a wooden bench outside.
Food
Bakeries & Dessert

I Found The Best Big Soft Pretzels In Oregon At This German Bakery

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Aug 12
Exterior of Fressen Cafe & Bakery, featuring a sign and windows on a light-colored building.
Food

The Delicious Aroma Outside Led Me To This Fabulous New Neapoloitan Pizzaria In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Aug 9
A cozy blue house at night, illuminated with warm lights, featuring a wooden deck and a bicycle parked outside.
Trips & Routes
Travel Preparation & Advice

9 Things That Belong On Everyone’s Oregon Summer Bucket List

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Aug 7
A serene beach scene with gentle waves, a forested hillside, and clear blue skies in the background.
Food

I’m Obsessed With The Addictive BBQ Pork-Covered Fries At This Scrumptious Asian Eatery In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Aug 2
Sign for "Dya's" featuring a portrait of a woman, set against a clear sky and trees in the background.
Stays
Hotels & Resorts

Fall In Love With The Columbia River At This Riverfront Resort In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 31
Aerial view of a lakeside resort with cabins and a main building surrounded by trees and clear blue water.
Nature
Parks & Gardens

We Visited A New Accessible Park In Oregon And It’s Filled With Outdoor Fun

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 29
A paved path leads through a park with trees and greenery under a blue sky, featuring a sign for "Lions Park."
Food

We Wandered Off-The-Beaten-Path And Discovered This Adorable Eatery In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 25
A storefront featuring "Flattop" and "Sprout Pediatric Dentistry" with outdoor seating and colorful umbrellas.
Nature
Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

The 56-Mile Lazy River in Oregon Where You’ll Find Us All Summer Long

Float, swim, and soak up the sunshine along Oregon’s scenic Sandy River near Troutdale — a 56-mile natural playground with endless summer adventure.

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 14
A bridge crosses over the Sandy River on a spring day near Troutdale, Oregon.
Food

Enjoy A Sense Of Peace At This Incredible Waterfront Restaurant In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 22
A waterfront restaurant with blue umbrellas, outdoor seating, and a large white tent under a clear blue sky.
Food

The Outdoor Tea Service In Oregon That Is The Prettiest Place To Enjoy A Warm Afternoon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 19
A weathered building entrance with double doors, a sign reading "Thanks," and potted plants by the window.
Food

If You’re A Popcorn Fan Like Me, You’ll Want To Head To This Popcorn Mecca In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 17
Exterior of BBP Co. Brown Bag Popcorn Co. featuring a wooden bench and nearby outdoor seating area.
Trips & Routes
Day Trips

This Tualatin Nature Sanctuary Makes For The Perfect Oregon Day Trip

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 15
Sign for Cooper Mountain Nature Park, featuring park name and logo, surrounded by greenery and flowers.
Food
Bakeries & Dessert

I’m Obsessed With The Tasting Flight Of Goodness At This Spectacular Oregon Gelato Shop

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 12
Exterior of Bontà, a gelato shop, featuring a welcoming entrance and a sign that reads "Handcrafted Artisan Gelato."
Experiences
Activities

I’ve Been Skating At This Iconic Roller Skating Rink In Oregon Since Second Grade — And It’s Just As Fun As An Adult

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 10
A large building with a sign promoting roller skating, lessons, and various activities at Oaks Rink.
Nature
Parks & Gardens

I See Something New Every Time I Explore Portland’s Mount Tabor

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jul 8
Sign for Mt. Tabor Park surrounded by greenery, with a path leading into the park.
Food

Get Your Seafood Fix At This Local Favorite Fish House In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jun 21
A street view of a fish house restaurant with a sign for fish tacos, cloudy skies, and parked cars nearby.
Food
Bakeries & Dessert

Enjoy Pastries, Breakfast, Lunch, And More At This Delicious, Welcoming Bakery In Astoria, Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jun 14
Exterior of Blue Scorcher Bakery & Café, featuring colorful chairs outside and large windows with a welcoming sign.
Experiences
Attractions
Shops & Boutiques

Poke Around Along Historic Pier 39 In This Delightful, New Coastal Gift Shop In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jun 12
A cozy shop interior featuring plants, shelves with various items, and decorative hanging elements.
Food

I Can’t Stop Going To This Immensely Popular Portland, Oregon Bakery

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jun 10
A bakery storefront with large windows, a sign, and trees lining the street under a cloudy sky.
Food
Breweries & Wineries

Indulge In A Tasting Tray Of Locally Made Beers At This Coastal Brewery And Pub In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jun 7
A gray building with large windows, featuring a bakery and café, and a pub, set against a cloudy sky.
Stays
Hotels & Resorts

Stay At A Historic Landmark Hotel In Oregon Rich In Pacific Northwest History

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jun 5
Historic Balch Hotel, a three-story brick building with balconies, surrounded by greenery and a blue sky.
Food

When I’m In A Fiesta Mood, I Head To This Popular Portland, Oregon Taqueria

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Jun 3
Bright turquoise taco restaurant with outdoor seating and a sign reading "¿Por qué no? Taqueria." Sunny day.
Food

I Loved The Thai Home Cooking At This Local Favorite Eatery On The Oregon Coast

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 31
A small, white restaurant with a brown roof, open sign, and fish decorations, set against a cloudy sky.
Food

Discover Authentic, Delicious Korean Cuisine At This New Beaverton, Oregon Hotspot

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 29
A busy Korean restaurant with a line of people outside and parked cars in front on a cloudy day.
Stays
Hotels & Resorts

This Eco-Chic Boutique Hotel Is The Perfect Place To Stay In Bend, Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 24
A modern brick building with balconies, featuring shops on the ground floor and a clear blue sky above.
Food

Bring Your Pup To Brunch At The Most Dog-Friendly Restaurant In The USA, Located Right Here In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 24
A gray building with "Tin Shed" sign, featuring a couple sitting outside and a "Black Lives Matter" sign in the window.
Experiences
Attractions

The Whole Family Could Spend An Entire Day Having A Blast At Oaks Amusement Park In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 22
Colorful sign for Oaks Park with a fun design, featuring rides and attractions, and an arrow pointing to the entrance.
Nature
Waterfalls

We Could Spend Hours Marveling at the Incredible Multnomah Falls in Oregon

From its dramatic 620-foot drop to its famous bridge viewpoint, Multnomah Falls in Oregon is a breathtaking stop that visitors can’t help but linger at.

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on Mar 16
Multnomah Falls is visible in the distance, while trees covered in fall foliage and a historic bridge is in the foreground.
Nature
Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

It’s An Epic Rafting Adventure Through Gorgeous Wilderness In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 20
A group of people in a blue raft paddles down a river surrounded by rocky cliffs and green vegetation under a cloudy sky.
Food

This Enchanting Garden Restaurant And Bar In Oregon Will Transport You To Another World

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 17
A festive bar scene decorated with holiday lights and plants, featuring patrons at the bar and a cozy atmosphere.
Trips & Routes
Road Trips

The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Oregon Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 15
A scenic view of a river surrounded by green hills and a field of yellow wildflowers under a cloudy sky.
Food

With Bacon Burgers And Homemade Cream Pies, This Incredible Restaurant In Oregon Is Perfect For Families

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 13
Exterior of Logger Restaurant with a wooden facade, open sign, and a large yellow sign featuring a logger.
Stays
Vacation Rentals

Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Oregon

by Sarah Vanbuskirk
on May 10
A black A-frame house with a metal roof, surrounded by trees and gravel driveway, near a river.