Southeast Hillsboro - Hillsboro, OR Area Guide

Situated along the Tualatin River, Hillsboro's first economic explosion came from the export of agriculture afforded by easy transportation on the waterway. Farmers' drunken exploits in the late 1800s earned Hillsboro a rough-and-tumble reputation. Railways in the early 1900s shifted the economic landscape again, allowing more agricultural exports.

Prohibition shifted Hillsboro away from the hard-drinking image it had cultivated in the 1800s. The city cut several public transportation options during the Great Depression, but the influx of residents working in Portland's shipyards for World War II helped steer the city away from financial collapse.

In the 1950s, Tektronix opened up an oscilloscope factory in Hillsboro, paving the way for the "Silicon Forest" of manufacturing and tech industry that still permeates the area to this day.

Hillsboro history-philes gather at the Washington County Museum, a public archive of the area's past. Celebrate Hillsboro history with them at their Annual Gala.

Classic American diners and roadside eateries dot the landscape in Southeast Hillsboro. While Hillsboro shares some of Portland's culinary diversity, diners should expect tasty variations on meat and potatoes (literally) more than varied ethnic cuisines. Most eateries have a home along Highway 8.

Find a slice of Hillsboro's warm hospitality at Hale's Restaurant and Lounge. Give yourself some extra time on the weekends in case Hale's has a wait; this popular diner can fill up fast. Patrons note the large sizes of the omelets and recommend the Denver omelet for first-timers.

About five minutes down Highway 8 lies Reedville Cafe, another example of southeast Hillsboro's classic American dining. Local news outpost KGW awarded the Reedville "Best in Town" for casual breakfast. Get a taste of the Oregon coast with the razor clam and egg breakfast special, featuring hearty breaded clams and a full complement of eggs, hash browns, and toast. Customers return for the family-friendly atmosphere, and you might consider returning after breakfast for the happy hour specials.

In Southeast Hillsboro, locals take to Highway 8 for nightlife. One location on Highway 8, Lil' Cooperstown Bar & Grill provides an inviting atmosphere for late-night drinks. Shonna's, located to the west less than five minutes from Lil' Cooperstown Bar & Grill on Highway 8, has karaoke and cheap drinks.

Hillsboro earns only a 41 on WalkScore.com, meaning most errands require a car. Residents and visitors use mostly cars for transportation, and bikers abound, like in most of Portland. Southeast Hillsboro's small streets, while walkable, cover a lot of land, so be prepared to stretch the legs, or use a car or bicycle. Some of Southeast Hillsboro's streets have bike lanes, and many major arteries sport a less-trafficked side street that bikers may use.

Portland's TriMet provides bus transportation directly to the neighborhood, and the MAX light rail system runs through central Hillsboro all the way to downtown Portland. Public transportation takes about an hour to get to downtown Portland from Hillsboro.

Hailing a cab takes a lot of luck, like the rest of the Portland metropolitan area. Users get better results calling ahead or using an on-demand option like Uber. Drivers can find cheap city parking in Southeast Hillsboro.

Highway 26, the main artery to Portland, runs about a ten minute drive from anywhere in Hillsboro. Driving to downtown Portland takes 32 minutes.

Rood Bridge Park, Hillsboro's largest municipal park, takes up 60 acres in Southeast Hillsboro. Replete with tennis courts, accommodations for non-motor boats, gathering areas and a rhododendron garden. Patrons flock to the park in the summers for its aquatic recreation center. Exercise-minded park visitors enjoy the gym facilities at the aquatic center as well. The park has a playground, and puts on classes for both children and adults year-round, making the Rood Bridge Park a perfect center for families of all ages. Bring your pet; although Rood Bridge doesn't have a dog park section, four-legged friends love the open space to roam around.

Rood Bridge hosts weekly sports games, and occasionally hosts wedding ceremonies as well. Hillsboro Parks and Recreation rents out various sections of the park, for groups of different sizes and different purposes. Rentals range from $30 to $105 depending on the location and time.

Southeast Hillsboro costs on average 2 percent more than Portland for groceries, housing, utilities and other things associated with the cost of living. TriMet costs $2.50 for a two-hour pass, enough to get downtown, and $5 for a full-day pass. An average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in SouthEast Hillsboro is $940 per month. A beer at a local bar will run you around $3.25, and gas costs 14 percent more than the national average.

Both brand-name and local retailers share neighborhood space along Highway 8 in Southeast Hillsboro. Fred Meyer, a Pacific Northwest department store chain, has a location on the Highway, serving the area with a wide selection of housewares and clothing. Nan's Glad Rags, a boutique fashion shop, sells both modern and vintage selections of clothing. This-N-That collects all of the neighborhood's used items and sells them under one roof. Find sporting goods, power tools, housewares, stereos and more at this little shop.

Safeway and Fred Meyer both provide groceries for the area, and more locally-minded eaters can find the Hillsboro Farmer's Market in the western portion of Southeast Hillsboro.