Weather in Oregon in March
Portland averages 53°F (12°C) highs and 37°F (3°C) lows in March. Rain is steady but rarely heavy — more of a persistent mist than a storm. Total rainfall for the month is about 4 inches, spread across 13-17 days.
The Oregon coast is windier and colder, with daytime temps of 45-50°F and gusts that make it feel colder. A few days may bring light snow flurries to Portland, though accumulation is rare. Humidity sits at 75-82% throughout the month.
- •Oregonians dress for rain every day but rarely cancel plans for it
- •The coast is always 5-10°F cooler than Portland
- •March has more sunshine hours than January/February — the corner is turning
What to Pack
A rain jacket is essential, not optional — this is Oregon. Waterproof boots are a must if you're hitting the coast or hiking waterfall trails. Bring warm layers for evenings when temps drop into the upper 30s, and a windproof shell for the coast where gusts make the chill bite harder.
Getting There and Around
Portland International Airport (PDX) is compact, well-designed, and consistently rated one of the best airports in the US. March flights from LAX run $120-250, from SFO $100-200, and from Seattle (SEA) just $80-150.
The MAX light rail connects the airport to downtown Portland in 40 minutes for $2.80. Once in the city, Portland is extremely bikeable with protected lanes and the BIKETOWN bike-share system. For day trips to waterfalls and the coast, you'll need a car.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Budget flight (West Coast) | $100-150 |
| Mid-range flight | $150-250 |
| MAX light rail (airport) | $2.80 |
| Car rental | $40-70/day |
| Parking in Portland | $15-25/day |
Road Trip Option
I-5 connects Seattle to Portland in about 3 hours and Portland to Sacramento in roughly 9 hours. If you're doing a broader West Coast road trip in March, Portland slots in perfectly between Washington's cherry blossoms and California's wildflower super blooms.
Waterfall Season: Oregon at Peak Flow
March is THE month for Oregon waterfalls. Winter rains and snowmelt push water volumes to their annual maximum, trails are impossibly green and lush, and the summer timed-use permit system hasn't kicked in yet. You get the best of both worlds: peak flow and easy access.
- •Visit Multnomah Falls on a weekday morning — weekends are packed even in March
- •Wear waterproof boots, not sneakers — trails are muddy
- •The Historic Highway closures mean some routes are detoured, check TripCheck.com before going
Multnomah Falls
At 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the US and Oregon's most-visited natural attraction with 2M+ visitors annually. In March, the crowds are manageable — especially on weekdays.
No timed-use permits are required (those only apply May through September). The short paved walk from the parking area to the base takes 5 minutes. The Benson Bridge viewpoint at the 69-foot mark is the iconic photo spot. Note: the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Multnomah Falls is closed for improvements through spring 2026, so plan your route via I-84.
Columbia River Gorge
The Gorge packs dozens of waterfalls within an hour of Portland. Wahkeena Falls (242 ft) connects to Multnomah Falls via a 5-mile loop trail. Horsetail Falls is a roadside stunner you can walk behind. Latourell Falls has the most dramatic single drop.
Eagle Creek Trail is one of Oregon's best hikes — lower elevation sections are snow-free in March, with tunnel falls and punchbowl falls along the route.
Coast Waterfalls
Drift Creek Falls is 35 minutes from Lincoln City and features a suspension bridge directly over the falls — one of Oregon's most unique viewpoints. The 3-mile round trip is moderate difficulty.
Munson Creek Falls, 15 minutes south of Tillamook, is the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range at 319 feet. The trail is short and accessible, making it an easy add-on to a coast trip.
Spring Whale Watch Week (March 21-29)
Every spring, roughly 20,000 gray whales migrate north past Oregon's coast on their way from Baja California to Alaska. The peak viewing window begins in late March and runs through June, with Spring Whale Watch Week (March 21-29, 2026) being the organized highlight.
During Whale Watch Week, trained volunteers from the Whale Watching Center staff 15 coastal viewpoints with binoculars, spotting scopes, and expertise. It's completely free.
- •Bring binoculars — phone cameras won't cut it at this distance
- •Depoe Bay also has resident whales that don't migrate, so even outside whale week you might spot them
- •Combine whale watching with a drive down the coast for Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
Best Spots
Depoe Bay is Oregon's whale-watching capital. The Whale Watching Center sits right on the seawall with unobstructed ocean views and staff who can point you to active whale sightings in real time.
Other top spots include Cape Perpetua (700 ft elevation, panoramic ocean views), Cape Meares (quiet and less crowded), and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (with a lighthouse and tidepools).
What to Expect
Gray whales swim at 5-10 mph and are often visible from shore without a boat. Look for spouts — misty V-shapes that rise 10-15 feet above the water. Mothers with newborn calves travel closest to shore and move the slowest, making them the easiest to spot.
Bundle up: coastal winds regularly hit 30+ mph during March. A windproof jacket and warm hat are non-negotiable.
Portland: Beer, Food, and Rain-Friendly Culture
Portland in March is the locals' version of the city — fewer tourists, no summer festival crowds, and the same incredible food and beer scene running at full speed. The city has 70+ breweries in the metro area, more per capita than almost any city in the US.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Craft beer flight | $8-12 |
| Dinner for two | $40-80 |
| Powell's | Free to browse |
| OMSI admission | $17 |
Craft Beer Scene
SheBrew Festival (March 7, 2026) celebrates womxn in craft beer, cider, and mead with dozens of pours from female-led producers. Stormbreaker's Brewstillery Festival returns after a 2-year hiatus with barrel-aged releases and collaborations.
New for 2026: Spotlight Brewing and The Hollywood Q food hall are opening in spring with 11 food stalls and a dedicated taproom, adding to Portland's already stacked brewery district.
Food Culture
Portland's restaurant scene emphasizes chef-maker-grower collaboration with sustainably sourced, often hyper-local ingredients. The farm-to-table ethos here isn't a marketing gimmick — it's the baseline expectation.
Don't miss the food cart pods — Portland's answer to food halls, but outdoors under rain covers. Hawthorne Asylum and Cartopia are two of the best, with everything from Thai street food to wood-fired pizza.
Rainy Day Activities
Powell's City of Books occupies a full city block and is the world's largest independent bookstore. You can easily spend half a day here. Portland Art Museum has a strong Pacific Northwest collection. OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) is excellent for families.
These are perfect for the inevitable full-rain day that turns Portland streets into streams.
Where to Stay
Portland's neighborhoods each have a distinct personality. Your base determines what's walkable and what requires transit or a car.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Downtown Portland | $130-200/night |
| Pearl District | $150-250/night |
| Budget (SE Portland) | $70-110/night |
Downtown Portland ($130-200/night)
Walking distance to Powell's, the waterfront, and the best food cart clusters. Downtown is the transit hub for MAX and bus lines, making day trips easiest from here. Hotels include reliable mid-range options like the Hotel Lucia and Ace Hotel Portland.
Pearl District ($150-250/night)
Portland's most polished neighborhood — converted warehouses now house art galleries, upscale restaurants, and boutique hotels. The Canopy by Hilton and Kimpton Hotel Vintage are both excellent. This is where you stay if you want a curated, walkable experience.
Budget Options ($70-110/night)
Southeast Portland has hostels like the HI Portland Hawthorne, and the Hawthorne/Division corridor is packed with affordable Airbnbs. This area also has the best food cart access and a more lived-in, neighborhood feel that many visitors prefer to downtown.
Budget Breakdown
A realistic 5-day Oregon trip covering Portland, the Columbia River Gorge, and the coast. Prices assume two travelers sharing costs where applicable.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Flights (West Coast) | $100-250 |
| Hotel (5 nights) | $500-1,000 |
| Food (5 days) | $175-350 |
| Activities | $80-200 |
| Transport (rental + gas) | $60-150 |
| Total | $915-1,950 |
Sample 5-Day Itinerary
This itinerary balances Portland's city culture with Oregon's natural highlights. It works whether you fly in or drive down from Seattle.
Day 1: Portland Arrival
Check into your hotel and explore the Pearl District on foot. Browse the galleries on NW 13th Avenue, then grab dinner at a food cart pod — Alder Street is a good starting point. End the evening at Great Notion or Wayfinder for a first taste of Portland's beer scene.
Day 2: Columbia River Gorge
Morning drive to Multnomah Falls (30 min from downtown). Arrive early for the smallest crowds. Hike the Wahkeena-Multnomah loop (5 miles, moderate) for multiple waterfall viewpoints. Afternoon stop at Crown Point Vista House for panoramic Gorge views. Return to Portland for dinner.
Day 3: Portland Deep Dive
Start at Powell's City of Books — give yourself at least 2 hours. Brunch in the Hawthorne neighborhood at Jam on Hawthorne or Screen Door (expect a wait). Afternoon brewery crawl through inner SE — hit SheBrew Festival if timing aligns. Dinner on Division Street, which has the city's densest concentration of acclaimed restaurants.
Day 4: Oregon Coast
Drive to Cannon Beach (90 min). Walk Haystack Rock at low tide and explore Ecola State Park for coastal trail views. Continue south to Depoe Bay for afternoon whale watching — the Whale Watching Center is free and staffed by experts. Overnight on the coast in Lincoln City or Newport.
Day 5: Coast to Airport
Morning beach walk at your coast base. On the drive back to Portland, stop at Tillamook Creamery for free cheese samples and their famous ice cream. The drive from the coast to PDX takes about 90 minutes. Afternoon flight out.
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