The beautiful, forested state on the West Coast of Oregon is one of my favorite places. There’s just something about the foggy, green forests that are bookended by rocky beaches on one side, high desert on the other, and filled with some of the coolest cities in the country.
If you’re lucky enough to take a trip to this little piece of paradise, you’re probably also wondering what souvenirs from Oregon you can bring home with you.
To help you narrow it down, and more importantly, find Oregon products that are actually made in Oregon (no mugs or magnets here—although no judgment if that’s what you want, you do you!), I’ve compiled this handy little list: 18 of the best souvenirs from Oregon to take home with you.
Table of Contents
1. Stumptown Coffee
Portland, Oregon’s most famous (and biggest) city is known for several things: food, beer, and…coffee!
You can be sure that most of the coffee you’ll drink while in Portland or in Oregon will be fair trade and locally roasted, especially if you stop by one of the famous Stumptown Coffee shops. I know you’ll love this coffee, and luckily, you can grab a bag (or two) to bring home with you.
2. Oregon hazelnuts
So much grows in Oregon! It’s a veritable Eden for things like berries, pears, grapes, hops, all sorts of trees, and nuts! Specifically, hazelnuts.
Oregon has the perfect climate for growing hazelnuts and is so well known for said hazelnuts, that the hazelnut became the official state nut of Oregon (how many times can I say nut in one sentence?) in 1989.
Also called a “filbert,” Oregon is the only state in the union that grows hazelnuts. Bring some home with you, in raw form, covered in chocolate, or made into spreads.
3. Specialty salt from the Oregon coast
One of the best gifts from Oregon comes from the coast: sea salt! Jacobsen Salt Co harvests all of its salt out of Netarts Bay and is the first company to do so since the 1800s.
This specialty salt comes in many varieties, like pure sea salt, kosher sea salt, and some unique flavors that also incorporate other Oregon flavors, such as Pinot Noir Salt (my fave!).
4. Oregon wine
Oregon’s unique climate is also ideal for growing grapes for wine!
Two of the most popular spots, the Willamette Valley and the Columbia Gorge have both worked together to make Oregon particularly famous for its Pinot Noir, and in fact, have made Oregon considered one of the top-producing Pinot regions in the world.
5. Oregon beer
Oregon is home to over 200 breweries that produce a variety of unique beers—plenty to try while you’re there, and plenty to bring home, too! (Not always an easy feat, but I believe in you!).
6. Pears
Although Oregon is the second-largest producer of pears in the United States (right behind neighbor Washington), it might be the most famous, thanks to two very famous people: Harry & David.
Yes, the famous Harry & David (and their famous pears) is headquartered in southern Oregon and grows all of their pears there. And their pears are probably the most awesome pears ever.
7. Cheese
Although Oregon is especially known as the home of the giant Tillamook cheese factory (which you should visit if you have the chance, for free samples and some incredible ice cream), Oregon has quite a few creameries that make incredible cheese.
One of these, Rogue Creamery, even made a type of cheese that won the prestigious title of World’s Best Cheese in 2019 (the first and only American-made cheese to ever win).
8. Pendleton Wool Products
A Pendleton wool blanket (or anything from Pendleton, really) might be one of the best gifts from Oregon you can give a loved one, or yourself. If you ask me, it might be one of the best gifts you can give, ever!
These blankets and other wool products are beautifully designed, have been made right in Oregon for over 100 years, and will last you (or whoever lucky person you’re gifting one to!) a lifetime.
9. Book from Powell’s
Portland’s most famous institution might just be Powell’s City of Books, which also happens to be the world’s largest independent bookstore. Powell’s is a must-see when you visit Portland (and the on-site coffee shop is also amazing), and it’s also the best place to shop for Oregon gifts.
Rest assured you will find something you want to read amongst the many, many shelves (and levels) of this one-of-a-kind bookshop, plus a variety of locally made gifts such as jewelry, notecards, notebooks, postcards, and more.
10. Marionberry jam
I’m telling ya, everything seems to grow in Oregon! One that is unique to Oregon (created at Oregon State University) is the marionberry, a type of blackberry that is now a symbol of Oregon.
It’s kind of hard to bring berries on a plane with you, though (although, hey, if you manage, I salute you!), so I would recommend bringing home some one-of-a-kind marionberry jam. Easy to transport and maybe a little too easy to eat.
11. Arts and crafts
Oregon is full of local artists and craftspeople, which means you have many locally made artwork to bring home with you.
Keep an eye out for Oregon Coast Glassworks for blown glass, and Pacific Stoneware for ceramics, or stop by any local gallery for photography and paintings.
12. Reusable home products
Oregon is green, in more ways than one. Not only is the scenery green, but the people are very eco-friendly (and therefore, so are the towns). You can find many eco-friendly, locally made goods, but one in particular that I recommend is reusable home products.
Innovative shops like Marley’s Monsters and Porter Lee’s Reusables make everything from sponges to paper towels to diapers…and most of them are in chic patterns, as well.
13. Vintage clothing
Portland, Oregon has some of THE. BEST. vintage shopping in the United States! You can find a bit of everything like furniture and art and cars, but the most portable? Vintage clothing!
There are tons of vintage clothing shops to choose from, like Laundry, Magpie, and Red Fox Vintage. Just remember—it’s all about the thrill of the hunt!
14. Handmade soap
In this land of locally-made and eco-friendly shopping, you can also find many handmade home and body products like candles, lotions, and, of course, soaps!
There are many options for handmade soap in Oregon, but some of my favorites are the Oregon Rain Soap (made with Oregon rainwater, duh!) and soaps from Wild About Oregon, which are themed to different parts of the state, such as Crater Lake and Multnomah Falls.
15. Truffles
Oregon is famously home to four native truffle varieties: Oregon Black Truffle, Oregon Brown Truffle, Oregon Winter White, and Oregon Spring White.
Join a truffle hunt to see if you can find some for yourself (truffle dog in tow!), time your visit with the Oregon Truffle Festival (which takes place annually in January and February), or hunt down a seller at a local market!
16. Outdoor gear
Oregon is a land of adventure, and the products made here reflect that. Yep, that means that you can buy Oregon outdoor gear for your Oregon adventures, and for all of your future adventures all over the world.
You can go big (I mean BIG) with locally-made surfboards, skis, snowboards, inflatable rafts, or bikes; or go smaller with Oregon-made water bottles, backpacks, layers, and boots.
17. Vinyl
Remember how I mentioned vintage clothing shopping? Well, Portland is also a great place to hunt down some old-fashioned vinyl records (like, for a record player, for all you Gen Zers out there).
Search for some classics, newer versions, or obscure favorites at places like Mississippi Records.
18. Raincoat
I won’t sugarcoat it: you will need a raincoat on your visit to Oregon. But instead of lugging one with you, why not buy a locally-made raincoat while you’re in Oregon? A souvenir you can use right away—name a better souvenir! (I’ll wait).
Brands that make great raincoats (and also hail from Oregon) are Showers Pass, Columbia Sportswear, and WaterShed.
Shopping in Oregon: Where to buy Souvenirs from Oregon
Now that you know what to buy in Oregon, let’s talk about where you can buy it. Oregon is all about supporting local businesses, so as much as you can, shop small and shop local!
Made in Oregon has seven locations throughout the state, and has nearly everything on this list, from wine to hazelnuts.
For smaller batch items, visit one of the many farmer’s markets, such as the Portland State University market, the Newport Farmers market, or the Oregon City market (all of which have been voted some of the best farmers markets in the country).
Conclusion
I’ll lay it on the table: Oregon is special, you guys, and so are the souvenirs you can bring home with you!
Where else can you find locally harvested sea salt, some of the world’s best Pinot noir, vintage clothing, locally made raincoats, and award-winning cheese? Not many places, I’d wager!
Now I want to hear from you: Are you more likely to bring home pears or marionberry jam? Would you rather bring home Oregon beer or Oregon wine (hello Pinot Noir)? And where are you on the cheese vs. truffle debate? Share below in the comments (and please add any Oregon gifts or souvenirs I may have missed!).
