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The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is evidence of why Portland is called the "City of Roses." Yet it's also the "City of Parks." It's the home of the largest municipal park _ 5,000-acre Forest Park _ as well as the smallest _ 24-inch Mill Ends Park (one visitor at a time, please). There's even a park on top of Mt. Tabor, a dormant volcano, where summer concerts are held.

Built around two mighty rivers, Portland is tailor-made for fishing and other water sports. Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails wander through the city parks. Just an hour away, there's world-class skiing at Mt. Hood, windsurfing at Hood River, and whitewater thrills near Estacada.

Portland has everything from luxury hotels to delightful bed and breakfasts. You can tee it up at award-winning golf courses like Pumpkin Ridge and the Oregon Golf Club, as well as many others which blend right in with the natural woodlands and wetlands.

In addition to roses, Portland will tempt you with many delightful aromas in its countless restaurants, coffeehouses and microbreweries. Wines from Washington and Yamhill counties, just outside of downtown, appeal to visitors and international judges alike. Bountiful farmers' markets and fruit stands offer a cornucopia of growing things.

With the holidays come the Parade of Christmas Ships along the waterfront and festive displays of lights at The Grotto and the Metro Washington Park Zoo. Through spring, the Portland Trail Blazers shoot it out in the NBA and the Portland Power energize the new women's ABL.

"Fog sneaks in as if on cat's feet. Clouds often hover like heavy gray blankets, or like fleecy sheep following a bellwether. The great Pacific seldom lives up to its peaceful moniker in these latitudes as gales whip up a frenzy of confused water. Yet ebb tides uncover glistening sands and crustacean-coated rocks, and sunsets paint the sky a myriad of colors. Such is the Oregon Coast, an outstanding example of God's rugged artistry."

The Pacific Ocean batters, bothers and buffets the Oregon coastline with waves born 6,000 miles away. The results seem anything but pacified: Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Devil's Punch Bowl and the Yaquina Head tide pools near Newport, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area near Florence, and the seastacks at Bandon Beach.

When you can't be walking or horseback riding along Oregon's beaches you should be doing it in the coastal mountains above them. Most campgrounds are open year round. Angling options range from deep-sea excursions to salmon runs on the rivers. Prevailing winds attract sailors and windsurfers. Wildlife watchers may spot whales, sea lions, otters, elk, bald eagles and much more.

Seaside golf resorts, beachfront properties, Victorian bed and breakfasts, riverside hideaways; they're all here. Many fill up in the summer, as well as holidays and winter weekends. Contact the Central Oregon Coast Association or local chambers and visitor bureaus for complete listings.