California: A User's Guide

15 sunny weekend escapes, 6 ideas to steal from our southern neighbors, 3 ways to do Los Angeles, and 4 truly epic road trips. Also in this issue: veggie worship at G-Love, a major milestone for Kindergarten Cop, and our annual schools package.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Screen Time

32 Cinematic Takes on California

Films and shows to better understand the Golden State

01/21/2020 By Margaret Seiler and Portland Monthly Staff

The Essentials

13 Things to See and Do in Portland: February 2020

Guitar-strumming drag queens, explosive volcano art, and festivals galore.

01/21/2020 By Conner Reed

After Arnold

Astoria-Shot Kindergarten Cop Turns 30 This Year

Here’s why that matters.

01/21/2020 By Fiona McCann

Signal Boost

The Numberz Is Portland’s Only All-Black Radio Station

Launched by two Grant High School alums, the Numberz aims to unite a community spread thin by gentrification.

01/21/2020 By Conner Reed

Eat & Drink

The Shakedown

What's the Deal with Chocolate, Anyway?

Sizing up the sweet treats we crave.

01/21/2020 By Marty Patail

Recipe

Beet Salad Gets a Face-Lift at Churchgate Station

Chaat spice and Kashmiri chile are the keys to this vibrant, Indian-inspired dish.

01/21/2020 By Benjamin Tepler

Word of Mouth

One of the Country’s Few Wagashi Experts Lives in Portland

Gena Renaud crafts intricate, time-consuming Japanese confections.

01/21/2020 By Karen Brooks

Love Shack

Garrett Benedict Puts Heart and Soul into "Reverse Steakhouse" G-Love

At the veg-centric restaurant, protein dishes still shine.

01/21/2020 By Karen Brooks Photography by Stuart Mullenberg

Editor's Note

Golden State of Mind

Portland, It's Time to Stop Hating on California

The anti-California sentiment runs deep here, and not always in a joking way.

01/21/2020 By Marty Patail

News & City Life

California Dreaming

Face It, Oregon: On These Topics, California Is Way Ahead of Us

Buckle up, Beaver State. We have some catching up to do.

01/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

Smart Alecks

Portland Private Schools, by the Numbers: 2020

Local private schools enroll thousands of area kids in programs ranging from language immersion to faith-based.

01/21/2020 Edited by Julia Silverman

Madam Librarian

Meet the NoPo Librarian Who’s Watching Over an Entire School of Bookworms

James John Elementary doesn’t have a ton of wealthy parents. But the book-loving culture there runs deep.

01/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

Magic School Bus

A STEAM-Powered Mobile Classroom Brings Hands-On Science Projects to Beaverton

G. Douglas Bundy wants to forgo worksheets and have students take up making.

01/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

High Choir Act

This Catlin Gabel Choir Teacher Is Writing a Requiem for Victims of Racial Violence

Damien Geter’s 'An African American Requiem' will premiere at the Schnitz in May.

01/21/2020 By Conner Reed

Climate Warriors

These High Schoolers Are Tired of Waiting for Adults to Curb Climate Change

The world has Greta Thunberg. Portland has Charlie Abrams and Jeremy Clark.

01/21/2020 By Sarah Mirk

The Reformer

Jonathan Garcia Is Disrupting the Status Quo at Portland Public Schools

The chief engagement officer has a message for the state’s largest school district. Is the city ready to listen?

01/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

Honor Roll

The State of Portland Schools in 2020

Six intrepid locals evolving and improving the city’s education system from the inside.

01/21/2020 Edited by Julia Silverman

Feature

Editor Therese Bottomly Is Steering the Oregonian into Uncharted Waters

The paper has a pared-down staff and a smaller footprint, but its new(ish) editor in chief is still bullish on its future.

01/21/2020 By Beth Slovic

Puss in Reboots 

This Instagram-Famous Portland Cat Has Way More Followers Than You

Watch OwlKitty’s cat-eos in 'The Shining,' 'The Mandalorian,' and more.

01/21/2020 By Alli Weseman

Essay

Black Girls Matter: Navigating Portland's Systemic Racism as a Parent of Daughters

For us black moms, the safety of our daughters is always on our minds.

01/21/2020 By Kali Thorne Ladd

Art & Basketball

Drool Over These Limited-Edition Blazers Game-Day Posters from Local Artists

Snapping one up requires arriving way early at the Moda Center before a home game.

01/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

Count Them In

Oregon Isn’t Taking This Year’s Census Lying Down

Meet the women of color who are making sure that every Oregonian gets counted.

01/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

PDX Index

Complaining About the Influx of Californians Is Basically Oregon’s Favorite Pastime

Dive into the data so you can keep up.

01/21/2020 By Mark Fogerson

Space Invaders

Self-Storage Is Suddenly Everywhere in Portland. Here’s Why.

Blame zoning and population growth, or maybe we just have too much stuff.

01/21/2020 By Kat Merck

Style & Shopping

Trophy Case

4 Portland Twists on Standby Valentine's Day Presents

Consider us Cupid's helpers.

01/21/2020 By Eden Dawn

Travel & Outdoors

On the Road

Buckle Up for These Picture-Perfect California Road Trips

Leave from Portland, or fly south and rent a car.

01/21/2020 By Margaret Seiler and Kat Merck

All Aboard

The Perks of Traveling from LAX to PDX by Train

The Coast Starlight’s best days may be behind us, but it’s not too late.

01/21/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Such Great Heights

Go Off the Grid in the Sierra Nevada

But no Donner Party endings here.

01/21/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Rose City 2.0

Fires and Floods Can’t Dull the Magic of Sonoma and Napa

Welcome to the land of redwoods, roses, crashing waves, and wine.

01/21/2020 By Cassondra Bird

The Land of Bart & Karl

Bookstores and Ball Games in Berkeley and Beyond

Swap MAX for BART with a weekend in the East Bay.

01/21/2020 By Alli Weseman

Tacos & Top Guns

San Diego Boasts Harbor Seals, Beachfront Roller Coasters, and All the Tacos

Add sun (there’s always sun), and you have an easy family getaway.

01/21/2020 By Kelly Clarke

Happiest Place on Earth?

A SoCal Family Theme Park Survival Guide

A few tips from actual parents for that trip that might cost as much as a semester of college

01/21/2020 By Portland Monthly Staff

PDX → CA

Three Tried-and-True Ways to Explore LA

For a city this size, narrow your scope.

01/21/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Cover Story

The Portlander's Guide to California

With its beach escapes, mountain retreats, urban culture hubs, and kiddie wonderlands, Cali is a fast and easy destination for Portland travelers.

01/21/2020 Edited by Margaret Seiler

Field Notes

Snowshoe in Solitude at June Lake

This tucked-away Mount St. Helens trail offers a snowy, kid-friendly day out.

01/21/2020 By Benjamin Tepler