North Portland? Isn't that Seattle? :)

I wonder if you mean The Pearl district.

That's a new one on me. Perhaps you're speaking of the N Mississippi area? Here's a guide to that neighborhood:

portlandbridges.com/portland-neighborhoods/0…

There's a breakfast place up there called Gravy that is pretty awesome. Also Lovely Hula Hands is one of Portland's better restaurants. And, of course, the Crow Bar, which I haven't been to in what seems like years.

From the City center cross to the Eastside of the city. [The Willamette divides the city east/west] Head North on ML King Jr. Blvd. - North Portland can be generally thought of of between Columbia blvd in th North to Prescott in the South. 82nd Ave in the East to Swan Island in the West. Alberta, Interstate, Fremont & 32nd have many interesting places.

On the Westside you might like NW23rd Ave from Burnside to Thurman.

Perhaps this site will help: travelportland.com/glbt/neighborhoods.html

North Portland is in the north of Portland. LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Yes, you may be thinking of N. Mississippi. It is an "renewing" area. Lots of small restaurants and shops opening, as well as many that have been there for years. I would add Lupa to the list of places to go. Lupa is a wine bar...a great place. 3955 N Mississippi.

Lovely Hula Hands is a great restaurant on N. Mississippi, we dined there last Spring in their new building, very good food and friendly service. :)

North Portland east of Willamette R and west of Williams Ave for street directions. Williams is maybe 4 blocks west of MLK blvd

I am not familiar with Castro Dist in SF, so not sure what that is like

We lived near St Johns which is the real N Portland and they have had and still do a small town atmosphere, but doubt east coast knows about that

NW 23rd and Pearl district in NW are the trendy places, though agree Mississsippi and Alberta maybe have gotten some recent press cause on upswing.

I don't think I've heard of North Portland being compared to SF's Castro, before. But I have heard people compare Northwest Portland (especially the NW 23rd ave area) to the Castro and the Haight in SF.

NW 23rd is still popular, and NW 21st is more 'funky' but most of the shopping and dining action is now centered in the Pearl District, as mentioned above.

If you could tell us what kind of food and shopping you are looking for, we probably could come up with some more specific suggestions for restaurants and shopping.

In an event, I hope you enjoy your trip to Portland.

-Noah

I don't know about anyone else, but I just can't get over how North Portland has turned around in the past few years. I grew up in the heart of North Portland, and I remember a time when my friends from other parts of town were afraid to venture over there for fear of getting shot. I am amazed how some of the worst areas have turned in to such hip parts of town. Even being a North Portland local, there was a time you wouldn't have even caught me walking down Mississippi or parts of Alberta.

<<I don't know about anyone else, but I just can't get over how North Portland has turned around in the past few years. I grew up in the heart of North Portland, and I remember a time when my friends from other parts of town were afraid to venture over there for fear of getting shot. I am amazed how some of the worst areas have turned in to such hip parts of town. Even being a North Portland local, there was a time you wouldn't have even caught me walking down Mississippi or parts of Alberta.>>

Very true. Many parts of this city have come back to life. Alberta; Killingsorth; North Mississippi; North Interstate.

Face it, 10 years ago (or so) the Pearl was a very scary place filled with vacant warehouses and druggies. Now it is a bustling city within a city.

Portland sure does know how to revamp itself.