Meet David Penilton: He’s a professional tour guide, and a passionate world traveler who loves sharing the story of Portland, Oregon, with visitors from all over the globe.
David first visited the Portland area when he attended Oregon State University. After finishing his coursework at another school, David graduated and moved to South America. No matter where he went, Portland never left his heart. “It was always the place I knew I’d come back to,” he says. For David, the friendly people and great outdoors made Portland feel like home. “Everything is here,” he says. “I can see almost everything I see in other parts of the world right here in my own backyard.”
Through his tours, David says he wants to help people have experiences they’ll be excited to share with others. “No matter what direction you go, there’s an experience waiting to be discovered,” he says. For travelers visiting the area, David suggests these six experiences:
Stop and Smell the Roses at the Portland Rose Garden
The City of Roses has the award-winning International Rose Test Garden. Located in Washington Park, the 4.5-acre garden was dedicated in 1924 and now boasts about 10,000 roses. The garden also has amazing views to offer. “It’s like a crow’s nest overlooking the city,” says David. “Beyond Portland, you’ll see the mountains, including Mount Hood in the Cascade Mountain Range.”