St. Johns
Overview
St. Johns is a historic neighborhood in North Portland anchored by the iconic St. Johns Bridge — one of the most beautiful suspension bridges in the world. Centered around a charming main street with independent shops, pubs, and cafes, St. Johns feels like a small river town within the city. Cathedral Park beneath the bridge hosts concerts and community events, while the nearby industrial past gives the neighborhood a rugged, authentic character.
History
St. Johns was founded in 1865 and developed as an independent working-class town centered around lumber mills, shipbuilding, and trade along the Willamette River. It was named after settler James John (the unusual spelling came from a clerical error on an early map). The town grew rapidly in the late 19th century and was annexed by Portland in 1915. The iconic St. Johns Bridge, designed by David B. Steinman and completed in 1931, is one of only two suspension bridges in the Pacific Northwest and is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. After decades of economic decline following the collapse of the lumber industry, St. Johns has seen a resurgence in recent years, with new restaurants, breweries, and shops opening along the main street corridor.
Highlights
- St. Johns Bridge — a 1931 suspension bridge considered one of the world's most beautiful
- Cathedral Park — a stunning park beneath the bridge with concert series and farmers market
- St. Johns Main Street — a charming commercial strip with independent shops and eateries
- Pier Park — one of Portland's largest neighborhood parks with a disc golf course
- St. Johns Farmers Market — Saturdays from May through October
- Historic lumber and shipbuilding heritage visible in the architecture
Top Attractions
- St. Johns Bridge — A 1931 suspension bridge designed by David B. Steinman, featuring Gothic-styled towers and sweeping views.
- Cathedral Park — A 19-acre park beneath the St. Johns Bridge with a summer concert series, farmers market, and river access.
- Pier Park — A 91-acre park with a championship disc golf course, sports fields, trails, and a community garden.
- St. Johns Theatre — A historic single-screen movie theater showing first-run films in a beautifully restored venue.
Parks & Green Spaces
🌲 Cathedral Park
A 19-acre park beneath the towering St. Johns Bridge with a concert stage, boat launch, and farmers market.
🌲 Pier Park
A 91-acre park with one of the top-rated disc golf courses in the country, plus sports fields and trails.
🌲 St. Johns Park
A 4-acre neighborhood park with a playground, basketball courts, and picnic areas.
🌲 Columbia Park
A 40-acre park with sports fields, tennis courts, a playground, and a community center.
🌲 North Portland Greenway Trail
A multi-use trail along the Willamette River connecting St. Johns to Cathedral Park and beyond.
Things to Do
🌉 Walk the St. Johns Bridge
Walk across the iconic 1931 suspension bridge for breathtaking views of the Willamette River and downtown.
🎵 Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
Portland's longest-running free jazz festival, held every July beneath the bridge.
🥏 Disc Golf at Pier Park
One of the best disc golf courses in the country — 18 holes through old-growth forest.
🛍️ St. Johns Main Street
Explore independent bookstores, vintage shops, cafes, and pubs along this charming main street.
🧑🌾 St. Johns Farmers Market
A community farmers market every Saturday (May–October) with local produce and artisan goods.
🍺 StormBreaker Brewing
A neighborhood brewpub on St. Johns Main Street serving house-made beers and wood-fired pizza.
☕ Coffee & Cafes
St. Johns Coffee Roasters
Neighborhood roaster and cafe on Main Street serving house-roasted beans in a cozy, welcoming space.
Poser Coffee
A charming corner coffee shop with excellent espresso, pastries, and a sunny patio.
🌙 Nightlife & Bars
StormBreaker Brewing
Neighborhood brewpub on Main Street serving house-made beers and wood-fired pizza in a historic building.
St. Johns Tavern
Classic neighborhood dive bar with cheap drinks, a jukebox, pool table, and genuine local character.
🛍️ Shopping
- St. Johns Main Street — Independent bookstores, vintage shops, home goods stores, and bakeries along a charming small-town main street.
- Cathedral Park Farmers Market — Saturday market (May-October) with local produce, artisan bread, flowers, and prepared foods.
💡 Insider Tips
- The view from Cathedral Park looking up at the St. Johns Bridge is best in late afternoon when the sun lights up the Gothic arches.
- Pier Park's disc golf course is world-class but gets busy on weekends — arrive before 9 AM.
- StormBreaker has $5 pint happy hour from 3-6 PM daily.
Food Carts & Dining
St. Johns has several food carts clustered near the main street and Cathedral Park