A dock is one of those wonderful, in-between spaces that links one surface, land, to another, water. There’s really no need for a boat. You can enjoy the wooden platform just because it lets you look out and it sways a bit, as if you’re dancing without any effort.

In this week’s getaway guide, we look at docks connected to an Oregon vacation home large enough to invite the whole family, when you’re ready to travel again.

Before you go, check govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19 for the most current travel recommendations and best practices to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Also read 10 things to consider before going back outside during the coronavirus pandemic in Oregon.

Most vacation rentals minimize person-to-person contact with smart locks or lockboxes entries.

Lakefront, dog-friendly home with private dock and deck:Vacasa/Airbnb

Lakefront, dog-friendly home with private dock and deck near Florence: Relax on a private stretch of Woahink Lake or drive 15 minutes to Florence or the beach.

The single-story, ranch-style home has a private dock and boat launch plus driveway space for ATVs, dirt bikes and RVs. Enjoy freshwater recreation outside the front door. Read more about attractions in Florence.

• Around $275 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Sunriver Deschutes Riverfront Lodge: This contemporary house is dog friendly and appointed with comfortable furnishings.

There are two large living areas and a wraparound, covered deck with a gas grill in which to hang out. Or have fun with the pool table, ping pong table, disc golf course and hot tub.

The dock is shared with the cottage next door. Read more about attractions on the Deschutes River and in Bend and Central Oregon.

• Accommodates 22 guests (17 adults) plus up to six dogs

• Around $623-$2,048 a night on average, depending on travel dates

See more Vacasa vacation rentals with a dock

Waterfront cabin-style home with a private dock & furnished deck!Vacasa/Airbnb

Waterfront cabin-style home with a private dock and furnished deck in Waldport: The entire house is hosted by Vacasa Oregon property management company, which backs each reservation with 24/7 customer support and expert cleaning in line with current CDC guidelines.

Relax on the furnished deck or launch a kayak from the private dock into the Alsea River.

The property is a four-mile drive west to Waldport’s dining options. Visit the Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center to learn more about the bridge and watch the harbor seals sunning on the sandbar.

Or visit Seal Rock five miles north of Waldport and explore the tide pools with anemones and sea stars. Read more about attractions in Waldport.

• Around $168 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Contemporary waterfront home w/ a private hot tub & dock in Florence:Airbnb

Contemporary waterfront home with a private hot tub and dock near Florence: This Northwest contemporary-style house has views of Sutton Lake.

There is a shaded outdoor dining area, private hot tub and a boardwalk to a private dock on the lake.

Florence, seven miles south on Highway 101, has shops and restaurants. This section of the Oregon coast also has the world-famous Sea Lion Caves, Heceta Head Lighthouse and the Devil’s Elbow State Park. Read more about attractions in Florence.

• Around $175 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Private Willamette Riverfront Oasis - Whole HouseVrbo

Private Willamette Riverfront Oasis in West Linn: The house, in an ultra quiet neighborhood, has views of the Willamette River and access to kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, inflatable tubes and other river sports.

The slough in front of the house and in the center of Cedar Island is safe for children to swim.

The backyard has a lawn, propane barbecue, dining table and hammock.

• Around $356 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Smaller groups can book the main, upper level of the home, which sleeps up to nine guests.

Lookout tower near the Umpqua National Forest: The elevated home, modeled after fire lookout towers built by the U.S. Forest Service in the early 1900s, rises three stories from a meadow on 160 acres of private land surrounded by the Umpqua National Forest.Airbnb

10 tempting, crazy Oregon getaways when you’re ready to get out there: Oregon has an amazing collection of eclectic places to stay, from the coast to the Wallowa Mountains, tiny Tiller to populated Portland, a beach cottage to a cabin. And then there are some weird rentals in alluring locations.

Tomahawk Island houseboat: Linger on the deck while docked at the marina on Hayden Island and take in the Columbia River or use the two kayaks and set out on an adventure.Airbnb

Oregon getaways for the whole family: Are you ready to plan for fun on the water? When your family or friends feel it’s time to break away from home, Oregon’s wide open spaces and waterways will beckon. How about boarding a houseboat or yacht?

The GetMyBoat app lets you search for boat rentals, fishing charters or other water experiences in a desired location by price, type of experience and number of guests.

10 cozy, cool, crazy cabin vacation getaways: Escape to Oregon mountains and lakes or the California desert: The need to be in nature may be strong, but there are so many ways to relax amid towering trees in the mountains or next to a lake.

In this week's vacation getaway roundup, we look at cabins of all kinds, from a classic A-frame in a forest to a modern dwelling in the desert.

Rustic or luxury? Cozy or expansive? It’s up to you to decide: Are you dreaming of a romantic escape or group reunion?

A solar-powered cabin on 20 acres of private woodlands 10 miles from Milo McIver State Park near Estacada and 16 miles away from the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington.Sweat Relief/Hipcamp

Escape to one of Oregon’s wacky, funky, adorable getaways for rent like this quaint, solar-powered cabin near Vancouver: Getaways mean more than staying in a different shelter. Vacations are supposed to be physical and mental escapes from real life.

If you truly want an experience that's unlike the place you lay your head, check out Oregon's wacky, funky, adorable lodging, from a Swiss Family Robinson luxury tree resort to an off-the-grid yurt.

How about sleeping in a teepee on a yak ranch in Bend?

In this week’s home stay gallery, we check out 10 oddball abodes that you can check into.

Are you ready to escape to a scenic spot near mineral hot springs?Hipcamp

Are you ready to escape to a scenic spot near mineral hot springs? Oregon has an abundance of natural hot springs, some easily accessible, others completely remote, reports Oregonian/OregonLive’s travel writer Jamie Hale, who compiled a list of day-use springs.

Relax in a pool bubbling with geothermal energy, but play it safe by staying hydrated, cooling down and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

In this week’s getaway gallery, we look at places to soak in nature here and beyond state boundaries. The vacation stays may be a long scenic drive away from a hidden hot springs, but that’s part of the adventure.

2019 Lightweight Aero teardrop trailer sleeps two ($65 a night, based in Sherwood) through OutdoorsyOutdoorsy

Rent oddball RVs, sleek Airstreams, colorful camper vans, teardrop trailers a la Airbnb: A long holiday weekend may inspire a road trip. You can ride your own wheels or rent a roomy RV, sleek Airstream or colorful camper van, through a company or private owner, a la Airbnb,

In this week’s getaway gallery, we look at personalized mobile homes that are kitschy, cute or cool.

Hilltop Treehouse Retreat in Lopez Island/Airbnb

10 cool treehouses: These elevated vacation getaways are for rent Do we really ever grow out of wanting a treehouse? A vacation rental might answer that question.

In this week’s getaway roundup, we look at 10 vacation rentals, near and far, designed to elevate your point of view.

These modern dwellings in mostly remote forests are perfect perches for birdwatchers and nature lovers, but they’re not always easy to reach. They’re rustic and may offer waterfront views but not indoor running water.

10 accessible Airbnb rentals in Portland, Palm Springs and London: Srin Madipalli is a devoted world traveler who uses a wheelchair. To make it easier to find accessible lodging when booking online, he co-created Accomable, an online resource that was acquired by Airbnb in 2017.

Since then, Madipalli, who heads Airbnb’s accessibility team, has refined the homestay rental company’s search filters to help people with disabilities and their families find places that can be easily enjoyed without steps or stairs, and other accommodations.

“No two people with a disability are the same, so we offer 27 accessibility filters for a spectrum of needs, and we’re working on more,” says Madipalli.

Portland high-rise apartments can be rented by the day: The owners of some high-end Portland apartment buildings allow units that are not yet leased to be rented through short-term vacation stay sites like Stay Alfred and Portland-based Vacasa.

While the neighbors have settled in for the long haul, with year-long contracts and a key to a mailbox, short-timers are using lockboxes or concierge desks to check in for day or two.

The fee for a furnished apartment, which can be $80 to more than $1,000 a night, includes a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and housekeeping services.

Online travel agencies comply with permits, pay lodging taxes and in some buildings, contact customers disturbing the peace.

Dome Sweet Dome -- a must experience!

Bend ranks 4th in U.S. as a vacation rental hot spot. Here are 10 getaways, from funky to fancy: Bend residents may feel as if at least one person in their neighbor is renting out a room or a whole house to tourists. And they may be right.

A study released Wednesday found that Bend has 1,658 Airbnb listings per 50,000 people, which vaults the city on the Deschutes River to the fourth most saturated vacation rental market among more than 750 U.S. cities, according to IPX1031, an investment property exchange service.

Monroe Studio~Modern Cozy Gem!/Airbnb

Airbnb picks the West Coast’s top destination, and it’s Eugene: These are the most wish-listed rentals Of Airbnb’s more than 7 million homestays scattered across the world, which West Coast city rose to the top as a destination more people want to visit in 2020?

The reasons? Travelers like to be around nature and big events, says the lodging company. Green-thinking Eugene has both hiking trails and the University of Oregon’s constant activities.

Sunny studio with private deck/Vacasa

Here are 10 ideal Airbnb rentals for sweet Cannon Beach getaways: For people who dream of having a beach house, an Oregon Coast vacation rental is a sweet substitute.

In addition to hotels and B&B, Cannon Beach visitors can check into a cottage or condo, wrapped in classic cedar shingles and equipped with a kitchenette and patio, that’s operated by hospitality professionals as well as homeowners with space to spare.

Airbnb’s research found visitors book their Cannon Beach getaway at least two months before their trip. Nightly rentals are restricted and people devoted to special events like the crowd-pleasing Sandcastle Contest and hilarious corgi run race to reserve a place.

Blue Moon House & Cottage ~ Just 5 Blocks from OSF

10 top Ashland Airbnb home stays for couples, families, girl groups: Online travel agent Daniel Perry manages 100 vacation rentals in Ashland, from a single room to an entire house, where a chef can be hired to make meals. We asked the owner of BookStayHop to suggest a home stay for various Ashland visitors, from singles and couples to large groups.

Many of the vacation rentals are in Ashland’s downtown area, which allows out-of-towners to leave a car behind and live like a local, says Perry.

The Inn at Arch CapeThe Inn at Arch Cape

Getaway ideas to close-by, less-crowded places: The Portland-based travel experts at Vacasa vacation home rentals checked where spring breakers escaped to in 2018 and 2019, and found alternative smaller towns and cities nearby. These getaways can be a deal.

Luxury Retreat with Natural Hot Tub/HomeAway

10 vacation rentals with closeup views of Oregon’s fabulous fall colors: If you live in Oregon, you can look out almost any window and see greenery. Starting now through mid-October, you’ll also see bronze, crimson and golden autumn leaves.

10 luxury home rentals let you dream big on vacation: Vacations are supposed to be a fantasy come true. Yet, most of us stick somewhat to a budget. But ... we can dream.

Here are 10 luxury home rentals that cost more for one day than most people’s monthly housing expenses. Still, there’s something appealing about looking at perfect scenery from a secluded perch surrounded by nature and deluxe perks (yes, a butler).

In time for holiday giving – or making plans for a wedding or family reunion – we spotlight off-the-charts, Neiman Marcus fantasy gift level of getaways to rent, in Oregon and once-in-a-lifetime, fabulous destinations.

The Eagles Nest is a tepee with two queen beds and a private soaking tub, available at Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Burns in southeast Oregon.Crystal Crane Hot Springs

Dozens of Oregon getaways let you soak in natural hot springs: Ease into the new year by soaking the day away at Crane Hot Springs, a getaway off Oregon Route 78 east of Burns that the Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale calls “an oasis.”

If you’re too relaxed to leave a cedar tub bubbling with mineral water from natural hot springs ($15 an hour) or the soothing, 101-degree pool ($10 for four hours), stay overnight inside a rustic room or tepee, or set up a tent or park your RV at one of the campsites.

Perhaps you’d like to explore beyond the remote resort? The slow winter season in southeast Oregon’s high desert will allow time to learn about the area’s fascinating prehistoric history and other places to soak.

Where to stay for Willamette Valley’s Wine Country Thanksgiving: From a tiny house to vineyard villa: Thanksgiving weekend in Oregon’s wine-growing regions is an action-packed chance for patrons of pinot noir and other varietals to barrel taste this year’s vintage as flavors mature and to enjoy food pairings with bottles that have been released (and perhaps are on sale).

Vacation getaways: Yachts, yurts and other unusual Oregon home rentals: To celebrate a seriously special occasion, you can charter the Disco Volante, a 45-foot yacht with three levels of luxury. We’re talking swim platforms and sun pads, and a ban on red wine and orange Cheetos to protect the pricey teak and tan finishes.

10 glamorous historic mansions and homes for rent: Are you curious about what luxury looked like a century ago and how it feels today? In this week’s home stay getaway gallery, we peek into 10 historic mansions and homes that you can rent for a day or longer.

Las Vegas lodging: Here are places to stay close to the arena, so you can walk, take a hotel tram, Las Vegas Monorail or a ride share to the games. See more places to stay, some on the Las Vegas Strip, others in quieter locales including the Nobu Hotel penthouse suite.

10 Oregon coast getaways to enjoy a Victorian-style Christmas at the Heceta Head Lighthouse: Lighthouses are a beacon to captains and people curious about these rare, old navigational towers.

10 vacation getaways to join Mount Hood’s New Year’s Eve parties: Are you searching for a memorable way to watch the dawn of a new decade? How about ringing in 2020 from Oregon’s tallest mountain?

10 Oregon coast getaways to see Shore Acres’ stunning holiday light display: If you’re looking for a place that’s all aglow for the holidays, Shore Acres State Park’s display of 325,000 decorative lights on the southern Oregon coast will blow you away.

10 snowy getaways near Crater Lake get you close to free ranger tours: Are you ready to be whisked off on snowshoes to explore corners of Crater Lake? Rangers offer free tours and equipment, but you’ll need to get there first since the Crater Lake Lodge and all park campgrounds are closed until late May.

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