Portland , General info:
9/10

Portland is a city located near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is Oregon's most populous city, and the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest, after Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. Approximately two million people live in Portland metropolitan area, the 23rd most populous in the United States as of July 2006.

Portland , Cheap stuff:
10/10

Most things are pretty affordable in Portland! Apartments are pretty cheap for a city, public transit is very cheap and dining out is just as affordable!

Portland , Different stuff:
10/10

Portland's climate is ideal for growing roses, and for more than a century Portland has been known as "The City of Roses," with many rose gardens – most prominently the International Rose Test Garden.

Portland , Don't miss:
10/10

Pedalpalooza, an annual month long bike centered festival involving many group bike rides, including some like the burrito ride or the midnight mystery ride. POWELLS BOOKS is the LARGEST book store in north america. Yup, thats right the biggest one! Its in downtown on Burnside st. Set aside a few hours, if you come with friends make a meeting place cause this multi-floor 'city of books' is amazing for all! Queer folk come to Portland as there is a thriving queer community and really its a great place for people of all walks of life to come find a community of some kind.

Portland , Food:
10/10

During most months of spring summer and fall there is plentiful berry and fruits to be picked on Sauvie Island a short drive or healthy bike ride from downtown. Take your basket and go out to pick (and eat) as many blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, plums etc as you can. Also, Portland has famously delicious micro-brewed beer. Check out the Portland based brewery/restaurant/theatre spots of McMenimans. Youll find them around the city and nestled in historic buildings and old saloons. Most offer great food and delicious beers while a few of McMenimans even offer a heated pool, movies and live music. But really, any bar will have a local brew, just ask whats on tap. Portland is also voted the country's most "Vegan Friendly Town". Most restaurants have vegan and certainly vegetarian options in this town.

Portland , Hotels:
8/10

Check out the Jupiter Hotel for a wild take on hospitality, its adjoining restaurant the Doug Fir has fabulous food day and night, a fully stocked bar and great live music in the evening. Downtown offers many of the same hotels found in most cities around the country and world.

Portland , Safety:
9/10

Portland is a city, like any other but people are generally quite friendly and crime is not quite that high. Downtown is safe and the east side of town is mostly neighborhood based shopping areas, with no threat of crime apparent at all. This town is also BIKE FRIENDLY. But please be advised that helmets and proper front and back lights are suggested to make this safe. Bike lanes can be found all around the city and you can make it from one end of town to the other in just over an hour.

San Juan Capistrano , General info:
8/10

San Juan Capistrano is a city with over 200 years of history. It's just a few minutes from the beach by car or bicycle (if you know what you're doing),

San Juan Capistrano , Different stuff:
8/10

San Juan Capistrano is the home of the "Jewel of the Missions," a 200 year old Mission founded by a Spanish Catholic Priest, Father Junipero Serra, who founded many other Missions along the coast of California. San Juan is also the home of the returning swallows. The Return of the Swallows is celebrated every March 19, and the Swallows Day Parade (the largest non-motorized parade in the Western United States) is held on a Saturday around that time. The day before the parade is known as "Hoosegow Day," where anyone can be jailed (for fun) in an old iron barred jail cell, especially when not wearing some sort of cowboy attire. Freedom usually consists of a "bribe" of a dollar or a kiss on the cheek from a lady friend for the jailor.

San Juan Capistrano , Don't miss:
9/10

During the Summer months, Mission San Juan Capistrano hosts "Music Under the Stars," featuring live Big Band, Jazz, Blues, and Classical music, as well as dinner and dancing. Across from the Mission is The Swallows Inn, a Bar and Pool house voted "Best Night Life" by the Capistrano Dispatch. Live music, dancing and fun, must be 21 to enter.

San Juan Capistrano , Food:
7/10

Cedar Creek in, at the corner of Ortega Highway and Del Obispo has very good food. Try the Monte Cristo Sandwich. Augustin's Mexican Food in the Farm to Market shopping center has excellent carne asada tacos. For a quick fruit snack, go to the Kinoshita Farm organic produce market at the corner of Alipaz and Camino del Avion. The Laguna Cliffs Marriot off Del Obispo just passed PCH has an excellent Sunday brunch

San Juan Capistrano , Hotels:
9/10

Mission Inn, next to the Mission, and Laguna Cliffs Marriot, off Del Obispo passed PCH