Tawna joined Visit Bend in October 2010 to handle media relations, web content, and PR. She’s the author of the Bend Buzz Blog and a fan of Bend’s great outdoors.
A fourth generation Oregonian, Tawna has lived and worked in Bend since 1997. When she’s not devoting her energy to Bend tourism, Tawna stays focused on her other job as a USA Today bestselling author of romantic comedy novels. She loves roaming the globe and tending to a menagerie of ill-behaved (but well loved) family pets. She lives in Bend with her husband and two awesome, outdoorsy kids.
What’s Your Favorite Bend Adventure?
I love hiking, especially with my rescue pups, Bindi and JackJack. They adore camping and standup paddleboarding almost as much as I do, and in the winter you’ll find us on dog-friendly snowshoe trails like Wanoga and Edison.
What’s Your Favorite Dining Spot?
I’m a huge foodie, and Bend’s culinary scene is outstanding. I’m obsessed with the breakfast burritos at Los Jalapeños for a grab-and-go morning meal. For more leisurely breakfasts, you’ll find me at McKay Cottage or Chow, which I love for their creative fare and commitment to locally-sourced ingredients. For a casual lunch, I love the wraps at Parilla Grill (especially the Bombay Bomburrito) or green curry at Toomies. Time for happy hour? Take me to Dogwood Cocktail Cabin, or let’s hit the Bend Ale Trail where my hankering for hoppy IPA lures me to Bend Brewing, Bevel Brewing, or Crux Fermentation Project. When date night rolls around, I have a tough time choosing between 900 Wall, Blacksmith, Bosa, 5 Fusion, Trattoria Sbandati, and Ariana Restaurant.
Best Piece Of Advice For First Time Visitors To Bend?
Start your visit with a hike up Pilot Butte to get the lay of the land. Don’t try to do everything in one short visit or you’ll burn yourself out. Focus on a few key things you want to do – hiking or shopping or checking out local events – and don’t stress if you can’t make it to everything. The laidback, “go with the flow” vibe is one thing that makes Bend so fabulous, and let’s face it – you’ll be back later to do all the things you missed!