A view of the historic St. Johns Bridge connecting North and Northwest Portland.

Credit: Aaron Lee

St. Johns

Once its own town, this North Portland enclave is filled with homegrown shops, independent spirit and plentiful things to do.

A view of the historic St. Johns Bridge connecting North and Northwest Portland.

Credit: Aaron Lee

More than 100 years ago, leafy St. Johns existed as a small, quiet town at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. Today, the quaint North Portland neighborhood retains its small-town charm with its many locally owned shops, pubs and cafés. To stay in St. Johns proper, near these numerous eateries and attractions, consider taking a room at the St. Johns Inn. Pack a picnic blanket for an afternoon in Cathedral Park, cross the picturesque St. Johns Bridge and get ready to explore a lovely, lesser-known side of Portland.

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Coffee Shops

If you like a pastry with your coffee, set a course for The Sparrow Bakery and try their signature Ocean Roll. For traditional and not-so-traditional coffee drinks, take a stroll down Willamette Boulevard to Cathedral Coffee, where you’ll find a rotating menu of baked goods and seasonal coffee concoctions.

Eats

Tucked away in the back of a Mexican grocery store and bakery, unassuming Tienda Santa Cruz garners rave reviews from the city’s foodies for its enormous, budget-friendly tacos and burritos, packed with authentic flavors.

Another perennial pizza favorite, the Signal Station serves hand-slung pies inside a repurposed vintage gasoline station complete with a spacious patio.

St. Johns Beer Porch

Located in North Portland, the St. Johns Food & Beer Porch pod has over a dozen food carts and a variety of local brews and ciders on tap. With a covered seating area, it’s a great place to stop after exploring the St. Johns neighborhood.
Paiku

Formerly a food cart, Paiku is known for its sweet and savory scratch-made pies and baked pancakes. The cozy St. Johns eatery offers brunch, dinner and a full bar.
Jamaica House

The aptly-named Jamaica House serves jerk chicken and other favorites inside a quaint and colorful old house. Vegans and vegetarian options available.
Tienda Santa Cruz

This Mexcian mini-mart and taqueria sells tacos, burritos, tamales, imported foods, and piñatas. They have an in-house butcher selling meats and cheeses. Their bakery also sells fresh, house-baked Mexican pastries.
StormBreaker Brewing – St. John’s

Located in the historic St. Johns neighborhood, this award-winning Portland brewery offers original draft beers, cocktails and a hearty menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more.

Get Outdoors

One of the city’s most cherished green spaces, Cathedral Park attracts dog walkers, picnic goers, boaters and wedding parties. The 2024 opening of a floating dock has also improved Willamette River access for swimming and launching personal watercraft. Mark your summer calendar for can’t-miss annual events like the free Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. Within an easy walk of the park, visitors can beat the heat with a summery kolsch in the airy tasting room of the Euro-inspired Occidental Brewing.

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.

Go To Sauvie Island

Entertainment and Events

Find Frito pies, rockin’ bands and bourbon-spiked sweet tea at Southern-inspired bar and music venue The Fixin’ To. The patio of Leisure Public House, another favorite watering hole, hosts bocce ball and ping-pong matches late into the night.

St. Johns’ two top movie theaters were both built more than a century ago, but that doesn’t stop them from showing first-run films with classic style and cutting-edge cinematic technology Better yet, St. Johns Twin Cinema and McMenamins St. Johns Theater & Pub both serve local beer and buttery popcorn, along with hearty fare like pizza, tater tots and burgers.

Guide to Portland’s Independent Movie Theaters

Portland has more operating historical movie theaters than all but three other U.S. cities. Find art films, first-run movies, revivals and more in our guide.

Shop

Photographers from around the globe make pilgrimages to Blue Moon Camera and Machine to peruse a veritable museum of vintage film cameras and one of the world’s last remaining optical printing labs.

Fun Facts About St. Johns

It’s named after a real person.

St. Johns is named after an early settler named James John. Throughout his life, John gave land to those in need. He also donated money and land to build a public school.

According to the journals of Lewis and Clark, there was a Native American settlement near the area we now call Cathedral Park.

There’s an annual parade and “bizarre.”

If you happen to be in St. John’s on the second Saturday in May, prepare for live music, a parade and big crowds. The all-day event takes up six city blocks and includes a parade, activities for kids, more than 100 vendors and a beer garden. Learn more about The St. Johns Bizarre.

Forest Park is just across the bridge.

Enjoy easy parking and fewer crowds by accessing Forest Park from St. Johns. Park near the foot of the St. Johns Bridge and cross the Willamette, enjoying some great views of the city along the way. Once across the bridge, cross Highway 30 and head south. Look for a set of stairs connecting you to the North Forest Park Loop/Ridge Trail.

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

At nearly 2,000 acres (809.4 ha), North Portland’s Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is the largest protected wetlands within an American city — enjoy kayaking and canoeing, a walking trail, bird-watching and more.
Pier Park

Pier Park, located in North Portland is home to a top-rated disc golf course, a public pool and an expansive park area equipped with a seasonal play fountain, play structures, a covered picnic area, sports fields and a large skate park.
Cathedral Park

Once a fishing and seasonal living site for Native American tribes (and a landing site of Lewis and Clark), this multi-level park offers beautiful views of the St. Johns Bridge, fishing, a boat ramp, an off-leash dog area and picnic tables.
St. Johns Bridge

Built in 1931, this historic green suspension bridge connects Northwest and North Portland. The bridge’s picturesque dual, gothic-style towers inspired the name of Cathedral Park, believed to be one of 14 Lewis and Clark landing sites in the area.
Kelley Point Park

Kelly Point Park includes a canoe launch, swimming and fishing along the beach, historical information, walking paths, picnic areas and vistas of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

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North Portland Neighborhoods

Sometimes called the “Fifth Quadrant,” North Portland encompasses a range of neighborhoods and commercial districts, including St. Johns, Mississippi/Williams and Kenton. Attractions include the St. Johns Bridge, Portland International Raceway, Peninsula Park Rose Garden and Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area.

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