Pleasant Valley Vancouver - Vancouver, WA Area Guide

In 1825, John McLoughlin set up Fort Vancouver along the Colombia River. Fort Vancouver became a major trading point for many years and caused a dramatic increase in the population. As the city of Vancouver continued to grow and develop, the area of Pleasant Valley was born.

Visit Clack County Historical Museum to brush up on the area’s rich history.

Nearby Vancouver hosts a wide range of festivals and events throughout the year. Vancouver Brew Fest, Three Days of Aloha and the Vancouver Jazz and Wine festival draw crowds from the surrounding area and provide a variety of live music, local food and carnival-style entertainment.

Check out the cluster of restaurants that lies around the intersection of Interstates 205 and 5. You are sure to find what you’ve been craving, from pad Thai to chicken quesadillas--Pleasant Valley has it all.

Planet Thai dishes out authentic spices or Thailand made with fresh local ingredients. Slurp down the signature drunken noodles dish, which features chicken or beef, soft noodles and fresh veggies marinated in a spicy sauce. Order up some spicy jungle curry or complement your meal with an order of fresh spring rolls.

Enjoy the comforts of all-American food when you head to Billygan’s Roadhouse. Try an order of the grilled, Cajun style salmon or the cracked-pepper sirloin. Billygun’s serves up a range of burgers from BBQ pulled-pork sandwiches to a Philly cheesesteak. Happy hour features $2 off all bar appetizers, $3.50 domestic drafts and $4 well drinks. Kick back and enjoy the personable and laid back atmosphere of this roadside diner.

Sample the delicate flavors of freshly prepared authentic sushi at Mio Sushi. Savor the flavors of the tantalizing ahi tataki roll, which includes crab, cucumber, avocado, tuna and tobiko. Order from classic rolls such as the spider roll or the California roll. Stop in for lunch and grab your choice of a bento box, choosing from items such as assorted tempura, salmon teriyaki and mussels. Wet your whistle with a drink from Mio’s wide selection of sake and Japanese beer.

Pleasant Valley houses a hip nightlife scene ranging from dance clubs to sports bars and classic pubs.

Pizza Schmizza is a local favorite. Daily specials include $1.50 off pours and pizza specials. Schmizza offers over 30 beers on tap including ales and ciders. Grab a beer and chow down on some cheesy bread sticks or slice of pizza loaded with your favorite toppings.

Pleasant Valley is conveniently located Northeast of the Vancouver area along Interstate 205 and Interstate 5. It should take around 15 minutes to drive from Pleasant Valley to downtown Vancouver via Interstate 5 South and 26 minutes to drive to downtown Portland.

Dedicated bike lanes line the main road such as NE 20th Avenue and NE 72nd Avenue. The area is fairly easy to access on foot due to the central location of shops and businesses.

C-Tran provides public bus routes through the Pleasant Valley area. To get to Portland, you can easily connect to a Trimet bus or streetcar. It should take around 56 minutes to get from Pleasant Valley to downtown Portland via the public bus system.

If you’re looking to catch a cab, call up Vancouver Cab Company. Uber ride-share and taxi company does not provide regular service to the Pleasant Valley area.

Salmon Creek Park provides picturesque views of Mount Adams. During the summer, head to Klineline pound for a quick dip or to cast out your fishing line. The park contains over 3 miles of paved trails through wooded areas that run along a creek, making it the perfect place for a jog, hike or to walk your dog. Bring your camera and shoot some photos of the striking natural scenery or bring your picnic gear and enjoy an afternoon in the fresh air.

Bring your canine companions out to enjoy some fun in the sun at Brush Prairie Dog Park. The park features over 10 acres of well-kept land for your pooch to run around.

Get fit when you head to Luke Jensen Sport’s Complex. This recreational space provides top-notch facilities such as a soccer field, batting cages, baseball fields, a community center and a children’s playground.

The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Pleasant Valley is around $849 a month, which is lower than the average for the Vancouver area.

Gas prices in Pleasant Valley settle around 11 percent higher than the national average. Grab a ride on a local metro bus for $1.75 within the area or $2.50 to all of the Portland area. Order up a pint of beer at a local pub for $3 to $5. The overall the cost of living in the Pleasant Valley area is lower than the cost of living for Portland.

Shopping in the Pleasant Valley area provides everything from the regular shopping fare to a selection of specialty stores and fresh options for groceries. Stop by Costco or Home Depot to pick up little things you need around the house or to get started on a project.

For a taste of the local fashion flavor, check out Most Everything, a vintage and consignment shop on Washington. The inventory changes weekly, so there's always something to see; just ask the friendly staff what's new. Besides clothing, the shop carries unique art, furniture and decor.

B. Divine Women's Clothing Boutique is an upscale non-profit women's clothing boutique carrying the latest fashion trends. Find that special party dress you have been looking for or spice up your outfit with classy jewelry, scarves and hats.

Stock your pantry with groceries from stores such as Chuck's Produce, Albertsons, and Safeway. Vancouver Farmers Market hosts the Downtown Market from March through October. This market is held at 6th and Esther Street. Considered Southwest Washington's most popular farmers market, the Downtown Market features more than 250 vendors selling fresh, local produce as well as baked goods, plants, accessories, crafts, and more.