Rolling hills, stunning views, 600 acres of parks & two rivers. Your complete guide to beautiful West Linn.
West Linn, Oregon–known as the “city of hills, trees, and rivers”–is all about natural beauty, breathtaking views, top notch schools, family life, and parks that amaze with their wide range of outdoor activities.
Community involvement and active neighborhood associations keep local government focused on making this suburban city an ideal place to live.
In fact, it’s not only one of the 100 Best Cities to Live in the nation, it’s also Oregon’s Most Family Friendly City. And People Are Really Happy in West Linn.
Eleven Great Neighborhoods
Just 12 miles south of downtown Portland, the 11 neighborhoods of West Linn enjoy easy access to the amenities of the larger metropolitan area, while retaining their rural, small town charm. For an interactive map showing the neighborhoods of West Linn, see the West Linn Neighborhood Associations Map.
A recent search for All Homes for Sale in West Linn, Oregon shows a range of home prices from almost $4,000,000 at the high end to $200,000 at the low end. There’s a home for every budget in West Linn. And regardless of neighborhood or home price, the much lauded amenities of this vibrant city are available to all residents alike.
The majority of West Linn’s 11 neighborhoods are nestled in the tranquil, rolling hills overlooking the Willamette River. Here you’ll find Barrington Heights-Hidden Creek-Tanner Creek (popularly known as BHT), Hidden Springs, Marylhurst, Parker Crest, Rosemont Summit, Savannah Oaks, and Skyline Ridge.
Spectacular views are prevalent in the hills, as are upscale homes and gated communities (Cascade Summit, Le Chevalier, Stafford Hill Ranch, Summerlinn). What you’ll get for your money are elegant, spacious homes, tree-lined streets with sidewalk boulevards, and easy access to dozens of neighborhood parks.
Closer to the river, and thus lower in elevation, you’ll find Bolton, Robinwood, Sunset, and Willamette, which is the historic core of town.
With the exception of newer, upscale homes on the river, the lower elevation neighborhoods in West Linn are older, with smaller, less expensive homes. These historic neighborhoods have older roadways as well–meandering, without sidewalks. Along the river, neighborhoods feel like waterfront vacation communities–laid-back, tranquil, and charmingly tousled. Mature trees and cottage gardens are prevalent, as are historic-style homes (craftsman, bungalow, Victorian, farmhouse).
We love these neighborhoods with their unpretentious style and sense of history and place. If you’re into cottage-chic and want the tranquility of the country, you may find the perfect home in West Linn’s historic neighborhoods.
A Park for Every Interest
Within West Linn’s seven square miles, there are over 600 acres of park land, ranging from active parks with sports, picnic, play, spray, and skate facilities to more passive parks for walking, biking, and communing with nature. Eighteen miles of trails weave through parks and open spaces, while an additional seven miles of trails abut easements, city property, residential linkages and unimproved public right of ways. It’s an outdoor playland for all ages and activity levels, and it’s FREE.
Homes for Sale in West Linn
Use SkyBlue Portland Real Estate’s Custom Search to search for all homes currently for sale in West Linn. Or drill down into the eleven neighborhoods below to narrow your search.
- West Linn Neighborhoods
- Home for Sale in Barrington Heights-Hidden Creek-Tanner Creek (BHT)
- Homes for Sale in Bolton
- Homes for Sale in Hidden Springs
- Homes for Sale in Marylhurst
- Homes for Sale in Parker Crest
- Homes for Sale in Robinwood
- Homes for Sale in Rosemont Summit
- Homes for Sale in Savannah Oaks
- Homes for Sale in Skyline Ridge
- Homes for Sale in Sunset
- Homes for Sale in Willamette
West Linn Neighborhoods
Neighborhood Guides
- Barrington Heights, Tanner Woods, Hidden Creek Neighborhood Guide
- Bolton Neighborhood Guide
- Hidden Springs Neighborhood Guide
- Marylhurst Neighborhood Guide
- Parker Crest Neighborhood Guide
- Robinwood Neighborhood Guide
- Rosemont Summit Neighborhood Guide
- Savanna Oaks Neighborhood Guide
- Skyline Ridge Neighborhood Guide
- Sunset Neighborhood Guide
- Willamette Neighborhood Guide
Neighborhood Maps
- Neighborhood Associations Map
- Barrington Heights-Hidden Creek-Tanner Creek (BHT) Neighborhood Map
- Bolton Neighborhood Map
- Hidden Springs Neighborhood Map
- Parker Crest Neighborhood Map
- Marylhurst Neighborhood Map
- Robinwood Neighborhood Map
- Rosemont Summit Neighborhood Map
- Savanna Oaks Neighborhood Map
- Skyline Ridge Neighborhood Map
- Sunset Neighborhood Map
- Willamette Neighborhood Map
Neighborhood Associations
Neighborhood Websites
West Linn Demographics
Basics
- County: Clackamas
- Zip Code: 97068
- Location: 12 miles south of Downtown Portland
People
- Population: 19,154
- Median Age: 45
- Median Household Income: $86.294 (3rd highest in Portland/Portland Metro)
- Bachelor’s Degree: 34%
- Graduate Degree: 15%
Lifestyle
- Parks & Open Spaces (acres): 600
- Walkability Score: 29 (all those hills)
- Average Commute Time: 25 minutes
- Minutes by Car to Downtown Portland: 26 minutes
Real Estate (April 2014)
- Median Home Price: $385,303
- Average Home Price: $399,303
- Average Days on Market: 76
- Average Year Built: 1987 (Compared to Portland: 1956)
- Homes Built 2005 or Earlier: 62%
West Linn City Hall
City Hall
Calendar of Events
West Linn Chamber of Commerce
West Linn Public Library
West Linn Maps
- City of West Linn
- West Linn Neighborhood Associations
- West Linn Interactive
- West Linn City Parks
- West Linn Bike Routes
- West Linn Walking Paths & Trails
West Linn Public Schools
- West Linn-Wilsonville School District
- West Linn High School (Grades 9-12)
- District Post High School (Grades 11-12)
- Rosemont Ridge Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Willamette Primary School (Grades K-5)
- Stafford Primary School (Grades K-5)
- Athey Creek Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Cedaroak Park Primary School (Grades P-5)
- Sunset Primary School (Grades K-5)
- Bolton Primary School (Grades P-5)
- Three Rivers Charter School (Grades 4-8)
West Linn Parks & Recreation
Mary S. Young State Park is West Linn’s largest park at 128 acres. It’s a favorite of birders, with miles of walking trails and river views. Beyond the nature trails, it features sports fields, picnic shelter, unleashed dog area, and walking bridge to Cedar Island. Get this handy Trail Map before you head to the park.
Wilderness Park is West Linn’s second largest park at 51 acres. Nestled into the upland slopes of West Linn, it’s natural beauty (a remnant of native forest) is accessible through numerous hiking trails and pathways. Here you’ll find towering Douglas firs, grand firs, maples, salal, sword ferns, holly, and a carpet of wildflowers in the spring. The park is primarily for nature lovers; there are no sports facilities. Wilderness Park Loop Trail is popular with hikers.
The Camassia Natural Area, owned by the Nature Conservancy, sprawls over 22 acres and includes more than 300 plant species, including the common camas. Camas, formerly used as a food source by Pacific Northwest Native Americans, has beautiful blue blooms in April and early May. Birders can find the wood duck, western bluebird, and California quail, as well as other well-known bird species in the natural area. Camassia Natural Area Loop Hike is popular with hikers. Get this handy Trail Map before you head to the park.
Willamette Park, at 15 acres, offers a diverse range of activities for all ages and interests. It includes two large picnic shelters, smaller gazebo, stage area, five horseshoe pits, two softball fields, baseball field, grass volleyball court, sand volleyball court, playground, spray park, and river access through adjacent Bernert Landing.
Parks & Open Spaces
- West Linn Parks & Recreation
- West Linn Parks & Recreation: Parks & Trails
- West Linn Parks & Recreation: Spray Parks
- Benski Park (1.68 acres)
- Bernert Landing (Boat Ramp) (2 acres)
- Burnside Park (10 acres)
- Camassia Nature Preserve (22.5 acres)
- Cedar Island (14 acres)
- Cedaroak Boat Ramp (16.5 acres)
- Douglas Park
- Fields Bridge Park (19 acres)
- Hammerle Park (5.81 acres)
- Ibach Nature Park (1.2 acres)
- Maddax Woods (7 acres)
- Mark Lane Tot Lot (.10 acres)
- Mary S. Young Park (128 acres)
- Marylhurst Heights Park
- McLean House and Park
- Midhill Park (7 acres)
- North Willamette Park (7 acres)
- Palomino Park (.5 acres)
- Robinwood Park (15 acres)
- Sahallie Illahee Park (4.26 acres)
- Skyline Ridge Park (2.5 acres)
- Sunburst Park (6.5 acres)
- Sunset Fire Hall
- Sunset Park (5.1 acres)
- Swiftshore Park (4 acres)
- Tanner Creek Park
- Tualatin River (Open Space) (7 acres)
- West Bridge Park (4.1 acres)
- White Oak Savanna (14 acres)
- Wilderness Park (51.4 acres)
- Willamette Park (22.5 acres)
Spray Parks
Is anything more fun for toddlers in the heat of summer than a romp through a neighborhood wading pool? Unfortunately, most Portland and Portland Metro wading pools were decommissioned a few years ago due to health concerns. The good news is that many of them were re-engineered, and in the process, a new category of water fun was created: the spray park. West Linn is home to five of these water play parks. Check out our Guide to West Linn Spray Parks.
Skateboard Parks
Hiking
- Portland Hikers
- Camassia Natural Area Loop Hike
- Mary S. Young State Park Loop Hike
- Wilderness Park Loop Hike
Walking
- Historic Bolton Neighborhood Walking Tour
- Historic Willamette Neighborhood Walking Tour
- Metro Walk There
- Portland Walking Groups
- Portland Walking Routes
Running
Golfing
Tennis
Biking
- Bike There! Portland Metro Area Bike Map
- Bike It! Clackamas County Area Bike Map
- City of Portland Transportation Bike Maps
- City of Lake Oswego Bike Routes
- City of Oregon City Walk/Bike Map!
- West Linn Bike Map
Boating | Fishing | Rowing
Flanked by the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers, West Linn attracts fishing and boating enthusiasts of all types. The Cedaroak Boat Ramp Park offers access to the river, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hiking trails. Smaller Bernert Landing Boat Ramp in Willamette Park offers similar access at the junction between the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers. For land lovers, the new West Linn Fishing Dock gives bank fishermen access to the bounty of the river and its seasonal runs of chinook, white sturgeon, steelhead, and coho salmon.
- Anglers Rejoice: New Fishing Dock in West Linn
- Northwest Fishing: Portland’s Premiere Education Fishing Community
- Burnside Park (river access)
- Cedar Island (river access)
- Cedaroak Boat Ramp
- Bernert Landing Boat Ramp
- Fields Bridge Park (river access)
- Portland Boat House
- Portland DragonSports USA
- West Linn Fishing Dock
- Willamette Water Trail
West Linn Festivals
There’s always something fun going on in West Linn, from community fairs popular art festivals to especially in the summer.
- ArtBurst Northwest
- Movies in the Park
- Street Dance
- Old Time Fair
- Haunted Trail
- Holiday Bazaar
- Community Tree Lighting
Music in the Parks
West Linn Shopping
Shopping Centers
West Linn is home to numerous shopping centers, so everyday necessities and services are close at hand.
- Cascade Summit Professional BLDG (22400 Salamo Rd)
- River Falls Shopping Center (1865 Blankenship Rd)
- Robinwood Shopping Center (19149 Willamette Dr)
- West Linn Central Village (21900 Willamette Dr)
For upscale shopping, Washington Square in Southwest Portland and Bridgeport Village in Tigard are nearby. You’ll also enjoy gracious Lakeview Village nestled against Millennium Plaza Park in downtown Lake Oswego.
Markets
You have several good choices for supermarkets in West Linn:
- Albertsons (1855 Blankenship Rd Ste A, West Linn)
- Bale’s Thriftway (19133 Willamette Dr, West Linn)
- Market of Choice (5639 Hood St, West Linn)
- Safeway (22000 Salamo Rd, West Linn)
- Wal-Mart (19133 Willamette Dr, West Linn)
And you’ll find these popular, upscale markets in nearby Lake Oswego:
- Zupan’s Markets (Lake Grove:16380 Boones Ferry, Lake Oswego)
- New Seasons (Mountain Park:3 Monroe Parkway, Lake Oswego)
Farmers Markets
- Willamette Saturday Farmers Market
- West Linn Farmers Market
- Tri-County Farms
West Linn Restaurants | Pubs | Coffee Shops
The Portland suburbs are not often noted for their mind-blowing food, and West Linn is no exception. Up-and-coming chefs tend to hone their mettle and build their reputations in Portland restaurants. However, we like to eat when we’re in West Linn, and here are some of our favorites: Bugatti’s Ristorante, Allium Bistro, Thai Orchid, Thai Lemon, and Willamette Coffee House.
West Linn in the News
Local News
About West Linn
- CNN Money: Best Places to Live (#69)
- People Are Really Happy in West Linn (82% say great; 15% say good; most content residents of all reside in adjacent Parker Crest, Savannah Oaks, Barrington Heights, and Sunset)
- HomeSnacks: These Are the 10 Best Places to Live in Oregon (#5)
- How Family-Friendly Are Oregon’s 20 Biggest Cities?
- Great Schools: West Linn (Top rating for West Linn High School, Thee Rivers Charter School, and Trillium Creek Primary School)
- Oregon Live: Affluent West Linn Ranks as a Top U.S. Small City
- Sperling’s Best Places: West Linn
- Sperling’s Rankings for West Linn, Oregon
- Movoto: Ten Best Cities to Live in Oregon (#8)
- Fox 12: West Linn, Lake Oswego Make List of Safest Cities
- Neighborhood Scout: Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S. (#31)
- AreaVibes: Top 100 Cities in Oregon (#21)
- Portland Monthly April 2014: Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers
West Linn History
- City of West Linn Historic Context Statement: Willamette and Holly Grove Neighborhoods
- City of West Linn: History
- Information About Time Capsule Hidden at the Library
- Just Yesterday: A Brief Story of West Linn, Oregon
- Series of Seven History Articles by Sandy Carter for West Linn Tidings
- The Last Days of Linn City
- West Linn Centennial
- Willamette Meteorite History
West Linn Social Media
Copyright 2014-2018 Susan S. Bradley. All rights reserved.