Bend City Guide

Strong focus on local and Pacific Northwest dishes, great breweries, and varied international options. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. Late-night food options often come from breweries and diners.

Known for craft breweries, pubs, distilleries, and live music venues. A few bars stay open late.

Strong scene with many independent coffee shops and skilled baristas focused on quality.

Tipping of 15-20% is expected in restaurants, taxis, and services. It's standard practice.

Buy SIM cards from major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. Best Buy also sells SIMs. ID or passport needed for registration.

City stays clean with regular waste pickup and good recycling. Streets are well-maintained.

Limited 24/7 options; a few convenience stores are always open, but late-night services are rare.

Fred Meyer, Safeway, Whole Foods, and seasonal farmers markets offer a good choice. Stores open early till late, even on holidays. Bargaining isn’t done here.

Most places take cards and prefer cashless payments. Cash is rarely needed.

ATMs are easy to find at banks, credit unions, and stores. Using out-of-network ATMs can cost $2.50 to $5.00 per transaction.

Bend-La Pine Schools handle K-12 in English. Some private schools offer alternatives. Contact schools directly for enrollment details.

Growing community with meetups and groups on Facebook and Meetup. Good coworking and cafe options for remote work.

Excellent access to parks and trails, including Drake Park and Deschutes River Trail.

Safe and scenic routes along the river and parks; active running groups and events year-round.

Several gyms and studios cover general fitness, climbing, and specialty workouts.

Public courts at parks and private clubs; booking systems vary. Rentals and coaching offered.

Limited availability, mostly private clubs.

Many studios offer various styles and classes, mostly with English-speaking instructors.

Active scene with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Karate, and Taekwondo facilities and instructors.

Mount Bachelor offers a long ski season with good snow and terrain for all levels, 22 miles away.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and rafting on Deschutes River and nearby lakes, rentals and tours available.

Inland location means no surfing nearby; coast is 3 hours away.

Lakes and rivers aren’t suitable for diving or snorkeling.

St. Charles Bend hospital and many clinics provide good care with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like Walgreens and Rite Aid are available.

Tap water meets state and federal standards and is safe to drink.

Lots of parks and kid-friendly cafés. Attractions like High Desert Museum and Sun Mountain Fun Center offer activities for families.

Generally accepting and inclusive with annual Pride events and state legal protections.

Very pet-friendly with many dog parks, pet-friendly businesses, and available vet services.