Senior editor Rebecca Jacobson steers Portland Monthly’s travel and outdoors coverage and writes about the more-than-human world, history, and arts and culture. She previously served as the magazine’s arts editor and digital editor. A former editor at Willamette Week and The Berliner as well as a contributor to several Wildsam field guides, she has an MFA in creative writing from the University of Montana.

Cascade Catalog

Where to See Oregon's Most Spectacular Waterfalls

Forget what TLC said. Let's go chasing.

05/16/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson, Reina Harwood, and Portland Monthly Staff

Big Picture

In 1925 Portland, a Day of Bike Races and Costume Contests

Our city has always had fun on two wheels.

05/09/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Rest Your Head

Where to Stay in the Columbia River Gorge

Historic hotels, micro-cabins with private soaking tubs, and triple-stack bunk rooms await in Portland's backyard.

05/06/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in May

Sip cider in Hood River, ride a fat-tire bike in Cannon Beach, and party with aliens in McMinnville.

04/29/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Where to Live Now

Neighborhood Guide: John’s Landing

Find bungalow-lined streets, cozy cafés, a pirate-themed dive, and top-notch river recreation.

04/28/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Oregon Trails

8 Geologic Wonders of Oregon

Caves to canyons to cracks in the ground, our state rocks.

04/22/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Jordan Kay

In the Trees

8 Essential Forest Park Hikes for Every Scenario

First-timer? Super athlete? Bird-watcher? We've got a trail for you.

04/15/2025 By Brian Barker, Rebecca Jacobson, and Benjamin Tepler

Wheelie Good

These Are Portland's 15 Essential Annual Bike Rides

Bike proms, bike plays, and naked rides—few cities have livelier bike calendars than ours. Here are the can't-miss events.

04/07/2025 By Katherine Chew Hamilton and Rebecca Jacobson

things to do

Behind a World-Premiere Ballet About Marilyn Monroe, a Team of Women

Also: a play set at the height of #MeToo, and other things to do in Portland this week.

04/03/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson and Matthew Trueherz

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in April

Stroll among tulips and trilliums, marvel at migratory birds, and gorge yourself on cheese and seafood. Plus: a new festival devoted to Sasquatch.

03/26/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Long Story Short

At Oregon Ballet Theatre, Dani Rowe Takes on Marilyn Monroe

Rowe, the first woman to serve as the company's artistic director, has wanted to tell Monroe's story since Kim Kardashian wore the actor’s dress to the Met Gala.

03/24/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson Photography by Jason Hill

Awesome Blossom

Guide to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Thirty miles south of Portland, 40 rainbow acres await.

03/21/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Spout Spotting

A Guide to Spring Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast

Thousands of gray whales are on the move. Here’s how to spy the showstopping cetaceans.

03/17/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Weed Whackers

Goats Are an Eco-Friendly, Adorable Form of Yard Care

Overgrown lawn? Rent a herd of hungry ruminants.

03/12/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson Photography by Michael Raines

Pretty in Pink

A Complete Guide to Viewing Cherry Blossoms in Portland

Peak bloom is nigh.

03/11/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Things to Do

Watching Weird Films in a Former Fireboat Station on the Willamette

Also: a new novel from Karen Russell, and other things to do in Portland this week.

03/06/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Get Out

What to Do in Oregon in March

Get schooled on cacao terroir, dissect an owl pellet, watch whales on their way to Alaska, and amble under a canopy of cherry blossoms.

02/26/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Soak Zone

Is Bagby Hot Springs Ready for Its Next Chapter?

Under new management, the beloved but beleaguered site bounces back.

01/28/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Get Out

What to Do in Oregon in February

Leaving the house is good for you. This month delivers truffle dog competitions, sausage eating contests, ski races, and salty verse. (Also...Afroman?)

01/27/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

things to do

At Open Space, Dance So Close You Can Almost Touch It

Also: Tim Heidecker’s serious tunes, and other things to do in Portland this week.

01/23/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson and Matthew Trueherz