Discover the Colors of Autumn in the City

It's Leaf Peeping Time Again!

Today, it's officially fall! Over the next month, the leaves are going to change, and you won't want to miss it!

According to KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart, Oregon's fall foliage prediction mid-October will be the best time this year to go leaf-peeping in and around the city.

New updates below from Mark Graves at the Oregonian

What is Leaf Peeping?

It's a cute colloquialism for observing the stunning changes in leaf color during the Fall. Here is a fun fact from our earlier blog: Why do the colors change?

When the Fall rolls around and the days shorten, deciduous trees stop investing precious energy into harvesting sunlight; it's just not worth it in the winter. There are fewer resources, so trees decrease their chlorophyll production before they drop their leaves. Chlorophyll is the material that allows them to convert sunlight into energy. Chlorophyll is very green; when the trees start making less of it, other pigments in the leaves become visible. The gorgeous fall colors we enjoy are a mixture of four chemicals: chlorophyll for green, anthocyanin pigments for red, beta-carotene for orange, and carotenoid pigments for yellow. The interplay of these can create all of the beautiful colors we associate with Fall.

Where to Go?

If you're a newcomer to Portland or leaf peeping sounds like something you'd like to do, try it a year just (what isn't fantastic about wandering about the city looking at trees and nature?) but need inspiration and locations? We have a short list of our favorites. We kept the locations closer, so grab your walking shoes or bike and head out to breathe in the beauty of Portland in the Fall!

The Portland Japanese Garden

The Portland Japanese Garden is considered one of the country's most authentic Japanese Gardens. Initially opened in 1967, the 12-acre garden features a teahouse, koi ponds, and beautiful streams. It also offers truly unparalleled views of Mt. Hood and the forests of the PNW in all their autumnal splendor. Japanese maple trees are truly special when they turn from green to the stunning colors of orange, red, and yellow.

Fun fact: Portland has been a sister city with Sapporo, Japan, since 1957! Portland and Sapporo have had over sixty years of student exchange programs, business promotional deals, and other mutually beneficial exchanges.

The Park Blocks/PSU

Portland's first official green space was dedicated in 1852, making the South Park Blocks the first official green space in Portland.

Over 300 elm, oak, and maple trees tower over the twelve-block-long park, which is dotted with statues and rose gardens. In the Fall, the entire canopy changes to beautiful yellows, reds, and oranges.

The PSU campus is at the southmost end of the Park Blocks, giving students, professors, and visitors a dreamlike experience as they stroll amongst the falling golden leaves and beautiful autumnal landscape in the heart of the city.

Tom Mccall Waterfront Park

As with the other locations on this list, it's almost impossible to find a time when the waterfront park looks uninviting. In the winter, the bare trees are still striking; they're verdant in the summer; in the spring, the cherry blossoms bloom, and the whole park is pink. In the fall months, the entire park is in dazzling orange, and it's hard to resist an afternoon of looking out at the Willamette. The park also hosts dozens of community events, including the fabulous Saturday Markets, every Saturday until December 15th!

The Pearl District

The Pearl, despite being an urban center, is studded with trees! With four distinct parks and rows of street trees on almost every block, the fall colors in mid-late October, juxtaposed against brick or reflecting off the glass of more modern buildings, are spectacular! It's hard to beat a walk around the Pearl with a pumpkin-spiced beverage, mesmerized by the fall color and seeking out amazing Halloween spookiness. Getting a festive walk-in after visiting your storage unit is easy!

Hoyt Arboretum

The Hoyt Arboretum bills itself as a Museum of Living Trees. At 129 acres in size, the Arboretum has 120 miles of hiking trails and is home to 2300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents. It's the perfect place for a fall day trip, a 10-minute drive, a short bike ride, or a longer walk from the Pearl District!

We're so lucky to be situated near all of this amazing fall foliage! Whether it's just storing some of your summer gear or something more serious, Downtown Self Storage has space for whatever you need to store! Our Davis Street or Johnson Street facility professionals are ready to assist you. For more packing tips and tricks, check out our storage blogs:

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