Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More

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A view of the historic St. Johns Bridge connecting North and Northwest Portland.
Credit: Aaron Lee

St. Johns

Once its own town, this North Portland enclave is filled with homegrown shops, independent spirit and plentiful things to do.

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A view of the historic St. Johns Bridge connecting North and Northwest Portland.
Credit: Aaron Lee

More than 100 years ago, leafy St. Johns existed as a small, quiet town at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. Today, the quaint North Portland neighborhood retains its small-town charm with its many locally owned shops, pubs and cafés. Pack a picnic blanket for an afternoon in Cathedral Park, cross the picturesque St. Johns Bridge and get ready to explore a lovely, lesser-known side of Portland.

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Coffee Shops

St. John’s Coffee Roasters runs a cheery café in the center of town. Peek through a window and you’ll see organic, fair-trade beans being roasted on-site in small batches.

If you like a pastry with your coffee, set a course for The Sparrow Bakery and try their signature The Ocean Roll. For traditional and not-so-traditional coffee drinks, take a stroll down Willamette Boulevard to Cathedral Coffee where you’ll find a rotating menu of baked goods and seasonal coffee concoctions.

Eats

Tucked away in the back of a Mexican grocery story and bakery, unassuming Tienda Santa Cruz garners rave reviews from the city’s foodies for its enormous, budget-friendly tacos and burritos, packed with authentic flavors.

Another perennial pizza favorite, the Signal Station serves hand-slung pies inside a repurposed vintage gasoline station complete with a spacious patio.

5 to Try

St. Johns Eateries

These five dining destinations in St. Johns are local favorites.

  • Homegrown Smoker Vegan BBQ

    This famous plant-based food cart satisfies comfort-food cravings with smoked tempeh rib platters, mock pulled-pork sandwiches and mac-and-cheese burritos.

  • Paiku

    Formerly a food cart, Paiku is known for its sweet and savory scratch-made pies and baked pancakes. The cozy St. Johns eatery offers brunch, dinner and a full bar.

  • Jamaica House

    The aptly-named Jamaica House serves jerk chicken and other favorites inside a quaint and colorful old house. Vegans and vegetarian options available.

  • Gabagool

    Formerly a food cart, this locally-owned Italian eatery prepares fresh, handmade pasta daily, along with Italian classics like potato gnocchi and a capicola-loaded sandwiches.

  • StormBreaker Brewing – St. John’s

    This award-winning Portland brewery offers original draft beers, beer and whiskey pairings, a classy cocktail list and a hearty menu of brats, burgers, salads, desserts and more.

Get Outdoors

One of the city’s most cherished green spaces, Cathedral Park attracts dog walkers, picnic goers, boaters and wedding parties. Mark your summer calendar for can’t-miss annual events like the free Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. Within an easy walk of the park, visitors can sample artisanal sweets from the Moonstruck Chocolate factory, and beat the heat with a summery kolsch in the airy tasting room of the Euro-inspired Occidental Brewing.

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.

Go To Sauvie Island

Entertainment and Events

Find Frito pies, rockin’ bands and bourbon-spiked sweet tea at Southern-inspired bar and music venue The Fixin’ To. The patio of Leisure Public House, another favorite watering hole, hosts bocce ball and ping-pong matches late into the night. For a different kind of local brew, visit SOMA, a self-serve “kombucha speakeasy” featuring exotic rotating flavors.

St. Johns’ two top movie theaters were both built more than a century ago, but that doesn’t stop them from showing first-run films with classic style and cutting-edge cinematic technology Better yet, St. Johns Twin Cinema and McMenamins St. Johns Theater & Pub both serve local beer and buttery popcorn, along with hearty fare like pizza, tater tots and burgers.

5 to Try

Things to do Outdoors in St. Johns

Explore the flora and fauna of this North Portland neighborhood.

  • Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

    At nearly 2,000 acres, Metro’s Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is the largest protected wetlands within an American city.

  • Pier Park

    Pier Park, located in North Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood, is home to a public pool and an expansive park area equipped with a seasonal play fountain, a play structure, a covered picnic area, sports fields and an 11,000-square-foot skate park.

  • Cathedral Park

    Once a fishing and seasonal living site for Native American tribes (and a landing site of Lewis and Clark), this park offers fishing, a boat ramp and canoe launch, an off-leash dog area, paved paths and picnic tables.

  • St. Johns Bridge

    Built in 1931, this historic green suspension bridge connects Northwest and North Portland. The bridge’s picturesque dual, gothic-style towers inspired the name of Cathedral Park, believed to be one of 14 Lewis and Clark landing sites in the area.

  • Kelley Point Park

    Kelly Point Park includes a canoe launch, swimming and fishing along the beach, historical information, walking paths, picnic areas and vistas of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

Shop

Photographers from around the globe make pilgrimages to Blue Moon Camera and Machine to peruse a veritable museum of vintage film cameras and one of the world’s last remaining optical printing labs.

Another go-to spot for browsing, Salty Teacup brims with whimsical jewelry, soap, housewares and art, all handmade by Portlanders.

Fun Facts About St. Johns

It’s named after a real person

St. Johns is named after an early settler named James John. Throughout his life, John gave land to those in need. He also donated money and land to build a public school.

According to the journals of Lewis and Clark, there was a Native American settlement near the area we now call Cathedral Park.

There’s an annual parade and “bizarre”

If you happen to be in St. John’s the second Saturday in May, prepare for live music, a parade and big crowds. The all-day event takes up six city blocks and includes a parade, activities for kids, more than 100 vendors and a beer garden. Learn more about The St. Johns Bizarre.

Forest Park is just across the bridge

Enjoy easy parking and fewer crowds by accessing Forest Park from St. Johns. Park near the foot of the St. Johns Bridge and cross the Willamette, enjoying some great views of the city along the way. Once across the bridge, cross Highway 30 and head south. Look for a set of stairs that will connect you to the North Forest Park Loop/Ridge Trail.
Neighborhoods, Tours & Itineraries

North Portland Hotels

The Jantzen Beach area in North Portland offers great freeway access, putting you within a short drive of popular Portland neighborhoods and Vancouver, Washington.

Find a Hotel

Short-Term Rentals in St. Johns

Use the links below to search for short-term vacation rental listings in and near St. Johns.

Airbnb

Vacasa

Vrbo

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