Portland
Pet sitters Charly and Marie share their favorite spots in Portland. Scroll down and read about the hidden corners that made them feel like locals: the must-see bookstore in Hawthorne, a taco shop where the line tells you everything you need to know, and that perfect spot for views of Mt. Hood.
3,682 Portland sits
confirmed in 2025
$155 per night saved*
on hotel costs
Up to 85% less emissions**
versus hotel stays
98% of sits
result in a 5-star review
Charly's Hawthorne itinerary
Coffee
Albina Press is a great cafe, full of locals getting coffee or working remotely.
Lunch
Go where the locals go - definitely pay a visit to ¿Por Qué No? for tacos and Mexican food.
Dinner
Apizza Scholls has some of the best pizza in Portland. They only sell whole pizzas (no slices), so go hungry.
Groceries
Fred Meyer is great for everyday essentials and low prices. Try New Seasons Market if you prefer organic.
Bookshop
Powell's Books has a store right on Hawthorne, and it’s always filled with locals. On weekends, people line up to sell old books for store credit and then immediately spend it.
Viewpoint
Go to Mt. Tabor Park for spectacular views of Mt. Hood. Locals run, bike, and stroll year-round. On a lucky day, you might spot a bald eagle.
Walk
Laurelhurst Park has a lake, over 100 varieties of trees, and a large off-leash section.
Charly - Hawthorne explorer
Charly lives in San Diego and has completed 19 sits in Portland. She sat in Hawthorne in spring 2026. "Hawthorne feels like its own little village, complete with shops, restaurants, and parks, making going to downtown Portland unnecessary." Charly has saved an estimated $3,720 on hotel costs for her 24-day stay.*
Marie's Portland itinerary
Coffee
Go to Roseline Coffee for a good morning coffee. It’s a local roaster with a loyal following.
Bakery
You’ll have to try La Provence, a French bakery with multiple locations across Portland.
Groceries
Grower's Outlet is the best local grocery store Marie has found.
Walk
Go to Portland Japanese Garden, ideally on a weekday to avoid the crowds and feel like a local.
Bookstore
Definitely stop at Powell's City of Books on Burnside. You can get lost and you need a map. It's a place to spend an entire afternoon.
Farmers market
Marie recommends the Portland Saturday Market under the Burnside Bridge.
Nature
Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the United States. Or try Tryon Creek State Natural Area for quieter trails.
Marie - Portland explorer
Marie has completed 72 sits, many of them in Portland. She has sat across the city, including St Johns, Hazelwood, Mt. Tabor, the Pearl District, Northwest Portland, Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Lake Oswego. "With many friends there, I have always felt like a local. So many parks to walk the pups and meet other pups along the way."
More Portland gems
Find even more things to do in Portland with our own handy Portland travel guide.
Explore Portland with a pet by your side
From Hawthorne to the Pearl District, find your own Portland pet sit and discover new hidden corners with a pet by your side.
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Frequently asked questions
*How did you calculate the statistic on amount of money saved?
Estimated savings are calculated by multiplying the duration of each sitter's stay by the average nightly hotel rate for that city. There is no nightly accommodation rate for TrustedHousesitters members. These figures are illustrative and based on city-level averages; actual hotel costs vary by location, season and room type. Marie's story covers many sits across Portland and no single stay duration was recorded, so no estimated saving is shown. Portland federal lodging per diem: $155/night, FY2026 (standard rate, Multnomah County). Source: U.S. General Services Administration, FY2026 Per Diem Rates. https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates
**How did you calculate the statistic on accommodation-related emissions?
In Portland, staying in a lived-in home instead of a hotel can cut accommodation-related emissions by up to 85% per night. Based on the following assumptions: 1. All nights are spent in the U.S, 2. All nights spent pet sitting would have otherwise been spent in a large hotel. U.S hotel energy usage national average and GHG information gathered from carbon intelligence software ClimateIQ. Seattle home energy usage and GHG information gathered from U.S Government owned National Library of Medicine. Based on 2024 data, GHG Protocol-aligned and specific to Portland.
How does TrustedHousesitters work?
Our platform connects pet parents with sitters who like to spend time with wonderful pets and experience new places. There’s an annual subscription for both pet parents and sitters to join our community. This gives everyone unlimited access to our site. So pet parents can post multiple dates to find a sitter throughout the year. And sitters can apply to as many sits as they want and connect with many different pet parents.
Do I get paid to house sit while I travel?
No, our members are driven by a genuine love of pets, not money. They exchange loving pet care for a place to stay on their travels, gaining a wealth of experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
Both pet parents and sitters pay for an annual membership to get access to our platform and connect with each other, but no money changes hands between members.
Essentially, all that’s exchanged between pet parents and sitters is trust. Sitters get to stay in cool locations near and far, caring for pets while pet parents travel.
So we know everyone is here for the same reason: their never-ending love for pets and travel.
How do I become a house sitter?
The first thing to do is to register for free. Once you’ve registered, you can explore our platform and decide which membership plan is right for you. We offer three annual memberships – Basic, Standard and Premium.
After you’ve chosen and paid for your membership, you can create your profile. This is your chance to introduce yourself, describe your experience with pets and add external references. Your membership also covers the cost of getting verified – we recommend doing this as soon as possible to build trust with pet parents.
When you’re all set up, you can search for listings that match the dates you want to sit. You can also set up a saved search and we’ll notify you when house sitting opportunities become available for your dates.
When you find the ideal sit, you can apply by writing a personalized message to the pet parent, explaining why you’re the perfect sitter.
Find out more with 10 tips on how to become a house sitter.
What are my tasks while house sitting?
Your number one priority when house sitting will be taking care of the pets. Pet parents will give you clear instructions about daily walks, feeding times, playtime and cuddles. You’ll also send daily updates to them, so they know their pets are happy and enjoying their time with you.
As a house sitter, you need to keep the home you stay in clean and tidy too. Pet parents may also ask you to water plants, take out the rubbish and recycling, and collect the post for example.
We ask all pet parents to fill in a Welcome Guide with important details and instructions. We’ll share this document with you as soon as the sit is confirmed.
What if pets have very specific needs?
When you browse listings, make sure you read the details in the sitter’s responsibilities section. Pet parents usually list all their pets’ needs and requirements there – whether it’s giving them a pill with their food or an insulin shot.
This should help you decide whether you have the experience to meet specific pet needs.
We also recommend meeting pet parents face to face or via video to discuss responsibilities and expectations before you confirm a sit.