Adventures with Holly & Bryan

I still connect blooming cherry trees with childhood memories of spring afternoons at the end of the school year. We’d stack our backpacks under the cherry trees that lined the quad, and our bare feet would dance over the soft earth, chasing frisbees and laughter over the warm grass. Sometimes we’d sit on the swings, looking up through the pink blossoms at stray clouds scuttling across the blue sky. After the gray Pacific Northwest winter, there was something deeply healing about this return to spring.

There are many places to see cherry blossoms in Portland, but if you only have time for one or two, stay tuned. In today’s post, I’ll share tips for visiting the two top spots to see cherry blossoms in Portland and everything you need to know to see the cherry blossoms at their peak.

I know that choosing just two cherry blossom spots in a city of beautiful trees can be divisive, since everyone has a favorite. Narrowing it down is meant to reduce analysis paralysis so you can finalize your cherry blossom plans—not to knock other great locations! Let me know in the comments if you have other favorites.

My top picks: the Portland waterfront cherry blossoms at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the cherry blossoms at Reed College in SE. I’ll share the highlights of each below.

#1. Portland Waterfront Cherry Blossoms

The Portland waterfront cherry blossoms at Tom McCall Waterfront Park are probably the most iconic in Portland. These cherry trees are not only beautiful, but also meaningful. Per the City of Portland, the collection of 100 cherry trees was planted as part of the dedication of the Japanese American Historical Plaza in 1990. The plaza is a memorial to commemorate the Japanese American internment during World War II.

Why are Cherry Trees Significant to Japan? 

Cherry trees are used in the memorial because of their significance in Japanese culture. Per the Japan National Tourist Organization, cherry blossoms are called ‘sakura’ in Japan. Their beauty and impermanence have made them a cultural symbol for the fleeting and precious nature of life itself. In spring, it’s popular in Japan to have cherry blossom picnics with friends and family, which are called ‘hanami’.

Where are the Portland Waterfront Cherry Blossoms?

Tom McCall Waterfront Park spans a long stretch of the Willamette River, so where specifically are the Portland waterfront cherry blossoms? They begin at the Japanese American Historical Plaza and continue in a row north to a sculpture called the Friendship Circle.

If you’re traveling by car, I’d recommend parking at the Naito & Davis SmartPark garage (Google Maps link here). SmartPark is the city network of public parking garages, and they’re typically among the easiest and least expensive parking options. You can check the current rates here. The Naito & Davis SmartPark garage is a 4-minute walk from the Japanese American Historical Plaza.

#2. Reed College Cherry Blossoms

Since the Portland waterfront cherry blossoms are so iconic, the waterfront is typically very busy during the peak bloom. For a less crowded cherry blossom experience, I’d recommend heading to Reed College in SE Portland. Reed is a great choice for a walk any time of year, but particularly in early spring when the cherry trees are blooming.

Parking is free on campus at Reed. We’ve used the East lot in the past (Google Map here). From there, walk west into the main campus, and you’ll soon come across an abundance of cherry trees tucked among a campus of brick buildings. If you’d prefer to navigate to the cherry trees more directly, I’d recommend checking out this cherry tree map that Reed has put together. Per the college’s count, there are over 70 cherry trees on campus!

The peak cherry blossom bloom is also the season for many native woodland wildflower species. While you’re at Reed, I’d recommend taking a walk through Reed Canyon, a ravine that runs through the middle of the campus, where you can see many wildflowers.

At the base of the ravine is Reed Lake, a haven for water birds. After admiring the cherry blossoms last year, we took the short trail through Reed Canyon that encircles the lake. The wildflowers were out, including red-flowering currant, Oregon grape, and skunk cabbage. We also saw Canada geese, ducks, and even a couple of hummingbirds gathering fluff from cattails.

Between the cherry blossoms and the woodland flowers and birds, a walk at Reed is a great way to welcome the oncoming spring. It’s right in the city, yet it feels like a relaxed oasis. The laid-back vibes and the opportunity to see cherry blossoms and wildflowers together in the same trip make it my other favorite place to see cherry blossoms in Portland.

Check out our video below for a virtual tour of the Reed College cherry blossoms and a walk around Reed Lake.

When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Portland?

The bloom time for cherry blossoms in Portland varies from year to year based on the weather, but the peak bloom typically starts in mid March. We had a cold spring in 2022, and they began peaking in late March. We visited the Portland waterfront cherry blossoms on March 20th and the Reed College cherry trees on March 27th, and both were fully in bloom.

Local blog Embrace Someplace made a great tracker in 2020 and 2021, showing weekly photos of the Portland waterfront cherry blossoms. For a window into these cherry blossoms progressing through the early, peak, and late season, check out the cherry blossom tracker.

Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest

If you enjoy the cherry blossoms in Portland, you may enjoy exploring the many other Oregon flower farms and gardens that will soon be in bloom. The cherry blossoms kick off the flower tourism season, and there’s a steady succession of blooms from March through September. I’ve compiled the highlights and how to visit 10 top flower farms and gardens at their peak.

For more travel ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.

Happy exploring!