FAQ’s

Our prices are reasonably set since we do not need to pay other booking services such as TripAdvisor, Viator, AirB&B, Expedia, etc. Those 3rd party services typically accrue an additional 25% commission. We only book direct. Booking by phone can save you even more!

I can pick people up anywhere in the Downtown area, Pearl District, inner NW Portland, and Convention Center/Lloyd Center area for no additional charge. I can also pick guests up anywhere along the routes we travel to conduct the tour. For example, if I'm doing a Wine Tour, I can pick guests up on the route I take to the Willamette Valley. If you are not staying in Central Portland or an Air BnB, I may also be able to pick you up, but we will need to discuss the details. For Private tours, I can pick guests anywhere.

I pick up at the following Hotels and more. If your preferred hotel is not listed, let's talk (503-475-0226).

• AC Hotel, 888 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204 503-223-2100
• Ace Hotel, 1022 S.W. Stark St., Portland, OR 97205 503.228.2277
• The Benson Hotel, 309 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97205-3725 503.228.2000
• Bidwell Marriott, 520 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon, USA, 97205 503-226-6300
• Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center, 550 S.W. Oak St., Portland, OR 97204 503.505.5000
• Dossier Hotel, 750 S.W. Alder St., Portland, OR 97205 503.294.9000
• The Dunaway, 545 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97204 503-553-7000
• Econo Lodge Portland City Center, 1889 S.W. Fourth Ave., Portland, OR 97201 503.226.7646
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown, 319 S.W. Pine St., Portland, OR 97204 503.279.9000
• The Heathman Hotel, 1001 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97205-3096 503.241.4100
• Hi-Lo Hotel, 320 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204 971-222-2100
• Hilton Hotel, 921 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204 503-226-1611
• Hotel deLuxe, 729 S.W. 15th Ave., Portland, OR 97205-1994 503.219.2094
• Hotel Lucia, 400 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97205-3579 503.225.1717
• Hotel Monaco Portland, 506 S.W. Washington St., Portland, OR 97204 503.222.0001
• Hotel Rose-Staypineapple, 50 S.W. Morrison St., Portland, OR 97204-3390 503.221.0711
• Hotel Vance Tribute Portfolio Hotel,, 1455 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 503-334-2167
• The Hotel Zags Portland, 515 SW Clay St, Portland, OR 97201-5407 503-484-1084
• Hyatt Centric, 601 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97205 503-595-1234
• Hyatt House Portland/Downtown, 2080 S River Dr, Portland, OR 97201 503-241-2775
• Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland, 422 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97205-3595 503.228.1212
• Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel, 1510 SW Harbor Way, Portland, OR 97201 503.228.3233
• The Mark Spencer Hotel, 409 S.W. 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97205-2633 503.224.3293
• Marriott Residence Inn, 2115 SW River Parkway, Portland, OR 97201 503.552.9500
• Marriott Waterfront, 1401 S.W. Naito Parkway, Portland, OR 97201 503.226.7600
• McMenamins, Crystal Hotel, 303 S.W. 12th Ave., Portland, OR 97205 503.972.2670
• Moxy Hotel, 585 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205, 971-339-4717
• The Nines, 525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204 503-222-9996
• Park Lane Suites & Inn, 809 S.W. King Ave., Portland, OR 97205 503.226.6288
• Paramount Hotel, 808 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97205 503-223-9900
• Porter Hotel Curio Collection By Hilton, 1355 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97201 503-306-4800
• Residence Inn Riverplace, 2115 S.W. River Parkway, Portland, OR 97201, 503.552.9500
• RiverPlace Kimpton Hotel, 1510 S.W. Harbor Way, Portland, OR 97201-5105 503.228.3233
• River’s Edge Hotel & Spa, 0455 S.W. Hamilton Court, Portland, OR 97239 503.802.5800
• Royal Sonesta-Monaco, 506 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97204 503-222-0001
• Sentinel Hotel, 614 S.W. 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97205, 503.224.3400
• SureStay Hotel Best Western, 2401 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97201 503-226-1121
• University Place Hotel, 310 S.W. Lincoln St., Portland, OR 97201-0751 503.221.0140
• Woodlark Hotel, 813 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205 503-548-2559
• WorldMark Waterfront Park, 221 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204 503-273-3500

In the budget affordable category in downtown:

• Downtown Value Inn, 415 SW Montgomery St, Portland, OR 97201 503-226-4751
• Econo Lodge City Center, 1889 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97201 503-226-7646
• Travelodge Wyndham, 2401 SouthWest 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97201 503-226-1121

Northwest Portland is split between the “Pearl District”, “Northwest” and the Old Town neighborhoods. The “Pearl District” and “Northwest” areas are nice because of their “walk-ability” and access to things.

Pearl District Hotels:

• Hampton Inn Pearl District 354 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 503-222-5200
• Residence Inn & Suites Portland Pearl District, 1150 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 503-220-1339
• Canopy by Hilton, 425 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 971-351-0230
• Barsala at Couch9, 135 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 206-800-7277

Although the addresses in Old Town and the Pearl District all start with “NW”, all of us locals, call the area west of the 405 freeway “Northwest”. We like this neighborhood a lot for it’s walk-ability and accessibility to restaurants and shopping. The Trolley is convenient in these areas too! “Northwest” hotels:

• Northwest Hostel (some private rooms too) 479 NW 18th Ave, 503-241-2783
• Silver Cloud 2426 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210 503-242-2400
• Holiday Inn Express 2333 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210 503-484-1100
• The Inn at Northrup Station 2025 NW Northrup St, Portland, OR 97209 503-224-0543
• Park Lane Suites 809 SW King Ave #1301, Portland, OR 97205 503-226-6288

Old Town Hotels are just north of Downtown:

• The Hoxton, 15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, 503-770-0500
• The Society Hotel, 203 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209 503-445-0444

Another area that is easy and convenient is the Lloyd Center/Convention Center area. We pick guests up here also.

Lloyd Center/Convention Center hotels:

• Hyatt Regency Portland At The Oregon Convention Center 375 NE Holladay St, Portland, OR 97232 971-222-1234
• Inn at the Convention Center 420 NE Holladay St, Portland, OR 97232 503-233-6331
• Courtyard by Marriott Portland Downtown/Convention Center 435 NE Wasco St, Portland, OR 97232 503- 234-3200
• Hotel Eastlund 1021 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232 (503) 235-2100
• Crowne Plaza Portland-Downtown Conv Ctr 1441 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97232 (503) 233-2401
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland 1000 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232 (503) 281-6111
• Quality Inn Convention Center, 431 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232 (503) 233-7933
• Shilo Inns Rose Garden 1506 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97232 (503) 736-6300
• Motel 6 Convention Center, 518 NE Holladay St, Portland, OR 97232 503-234-4391

On the eastside of Portland (SE) there are some other options also where we can pick you up:

• The Jupiter Hotel, 800 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214 503-230-9200
• The Jupiter NEXT Hotel, 900 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214 503-230-9200

You will be getting the owner operator with over 30 years experience. I do not hire others to help me unless your group is bigger than 13.

As a naturalist guide, I carry wildlife spotting scopes and I'm always looking to show my customers birds or other wildlife. You will learn about our area's nature and environment from someone who has been involved in protection for many years.

I've also known many of the areas famous winemakers for many years.

Call me and I can look up where you would like to be picked up and we can figure out the details. 503-475-0226

Most walks are less than a 1/3 mile round trip or shorter. If you don't want to walk there are nice views to be had close to where we park. Some guests choose to relax and wait in the comfortable van at some of the stops too. So it's up to you. Private tours can always request longer walks or hikes.

Please call or contact me to talk about the infinate possibilities of what I can offer. I have some of the typical private tour offerings on the Private Tours website page: https://ecotours-of-oregon.com/private-custom-tours/

I have found that the easiest way to find out what will make you happy is to talk it out. I can then send an itinerary for inspection. For example I have run multiple day tours to wineries, sightseeing to Mt. Rainier, Crater Lake, the Oregon Coast and combining my normal tours. Hiking is possible too.

Although I always have water, we make frequent stops where snacks are available. For full-day tours, I provide time to have lunch on their own. Many healthy options for vegetarians and restrictive diets are available. Normally we drive you through the lunch town and point out and describe the restaurants. I'm happy to provide lists of the restaurants so guests can decide ahead of time where they would like to dine.

If the customer cancels 3 days before the tour, a full refund is available. I can to try and rebook you to a different date or time also. Also if I can fill your seat(s), I can issue a refund. Call for cancellations 503-475-0226.

During most tours, we make frequent stops for bathroom breaks. Normally, we offer bathroom breaks every 30 minutes or so. Some of the tour routes are remote, so I suggest restrooms before getting back on the road.

My tours run every day, rain or shine. I have umbrellas for everyone though. I recommend rain gear and dressing in layers. You can always leave a layer in the van. Hat & gloves are recommended in winter. While summer is normally in the 80's, the spring, fall and winter weather can be cool and unpredictable.

1. Disposable water bottle (we recycle them, they're worth 10 cents here).
2. If you travel with your own water bottle, there will be lots of places to refill it.
3. Snacks are available along the way.
4. Door to door pick-up and drop-off . 
5. A clean and comfortable A/C tour van.
6. Jeff's expert guiding.

1. A camera. The places we visit are very beautiful and awesome!
2. It's a good idea to check the weather before pickup. I use the NWS (National Weather Service. Just type in the town.
3. For tours involving short walks/hikes, we recommend comfortable walking shoes.
4. Layered outerwear. It's not a bad idea to bring a jacket in Oregon year-round. We'll be around majestic mountains, spectacular serious oceans & breezy rivers.

My van is comfortable for everyone with a maximum of 13 guests. Normally the tours do not sell out though.

Occasionally we bring on another minivan or larger van to accommodate slightly bigger groups. Contact for details.
I have organized larger tours for families, conferences and conventions for years. We have larger busses available for these tours. Contact for details.

With prior notice, you can bring a child seat. I also have one available if given notice.
Oregon has laws regarding child seats, and it is the responsibility of the parent to provide the car/booster seat as well as installation of the seat in the vehicle.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has a website for information: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/safety/pages/belts-seats.aspx

Children 12 or under are 25% off. The only way to book is by calling 503-475-0226

I don't have a trunk or luggage area and there is limited space. Normally the tours do not sell out and I can put a stroller in an empty seat. Please tell me ahead of time and keep you informed of space limitations.

With prior notice, you can request the seat in the front next to me.

Pets are not allowed.
Service dogs are allowed only with prior notice and after answering the following questions:
Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?
What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
Service dogs are not allowed urinating or defecating in the van.

Gratuity is not included in the price of your tour. Any gratuity or tips are always greatly appreciated.