Directions to the Center

Because Hawthorne, the nearest major boulevard to the Zen Center, is tricky to get to by freeway, we decided to offer some detailed directions.

The Dharma House, also known as the Center House, is located on the corner of SE 26th and Madison. Madison is one block north of Hawthorne Boulevard.

Zendo

The Center's Zendo, where most of the public events are held, is at the corner of SE 25th and Madison. The Zendo is also known as the Portland Dharma Center (pictured, right) because it is shared with other groups.

If you are coming by bus, we are near both the 14 and 15 bus lines. You can check schedules at TriMet, check the map in the Community Pages of the Portland Yellow Pages, volume 1, or call 503-238-RIDE for bus route information and times.

If you are coming by bicycle, Madison is a major east-west bike route. There is a bicycle rack on the corner of 25th and Madison, next to the entrance to the Dharma Center. Lockers are available inside the basement door, and a changing room with more lockers is available off the tea room.

When driving on local streets, get to the east side of Portland, then use north-south streets like SE 50th, 39th, 20th, 7th, Grand, or MLK to Hawthorne. Take Hawthorne to the 25th block, and follow the directions below for parking. If you're driving south on MLK, take Belmont to 26th, turn right, and go to Madison or Hawthorne. (see map for parking location and relative positions of the House and Zendo).

If you are coming into Portland by freeway, follow these directions:

North on I-5 from Salem, Tigard and points south:

Take I-5 past Terwilliger Blvd., then get in the left lane. Take the “I-405 & US 26” exit to the left, and stay in the left lane. Almost immediately, you will come to an exit for “Naito Parkway,” another left exit. Take that exit, then get in the right lane. You will pass two intersections with lights before getting to Naito Parkway. Turn right on Naito Parkway, stay in the right-hand lane, and get on the Hawthorne Bridge. Then take Hawthorne to 25th and enter a parking lot, (see map) or go to 26th and turn into the neighborhood.

North on I-205 from Clackamas, Milwaukie, etc:

Go north on I-205 to the exit for “Foster Rd.” Turn left on Foster, which will take you diagonally northwest. Take Foster until it ends at the intersection of 50th and Powell. You will then be on 50th. Go straight through the intersection and head north on 50th to Hawthorne, a matter of some distance. You will cross Division; stay on 50th. At Hawthorne, 50th will make a slight jog to the right. Turn left onto Hawthorne and go to 25th and enter a parking lot, (see map) or go to 26th and turn into the neighborhood.

South on I-5 from Vancouver and points north:

Stay on I-5 past the Banfield Freeway exit, (I-84, US 30). Take the next exit, which will be labeled “OMSI, Oregon City, 99E, and City Center.” Then take the left fork of that exit toward OMSI and 99E. Follow the signs to “Belmont Street,” which will take you straight ahead. Follow Belmont, heading east, until you get to 20th, then turn right and go to Hawthorne Blvd. Turn left and go to 26th. Turn right into the parking lot (see map).

South on I-205 from Vancouver and points north:

Take 205 to I-84, and take the westbound exit toward Portland. Then follow the directions for “west on I-84,” below.

West on I-84 from Gresham and points east

Take I-84 to the “43rd St.” exit (also called exit number 2), then follow the signs to “39th Ave.” At 39th, turn left, and go south about 1.5 miles to Hawthorne. There is a large Fred Meyer store at this intersection. Turn right on Hawthorne, and go to 26th. Turn right and go one block to get to the Dharma House, or enter a parking lot from Hawthorne just past 26th (see map).

East on US 26 from Beaverton and points west:

Take 26 to the I-405 interchange. As you come to the interchange, you will see an exit marked “Market Street, Downtown, and 26 East.” Take that exit, which will place you eastbound on Market. Take Market to Naito Parkway, turn left, and get in the right hand lane. Get on the Hawthorne Bridge, then stay on Hawthorne to 25th, and enter a parking lot (see map), or go to 26th and turn into the neighborhood.

West on US 26 from Estacada and points east:

Take 26 all the way into Portland. You will find yourself on Powell Blvd. Stay on Powell until you get to 39th. Turn right on 39th, and go north to Hawthorne. Turn left on Hawthorne and go to 26th. Turn right and go one block to get to the Dharma House, or enter a parking lot from Hawthorne just past 26th (see map).

Parking

If you are coming by car, it is important to follow parking directions. During evenings and weekends, please park in one of the parking lots off Hawthorne Blvd., between 25th and 26th avenues (see map). You can park at the lots for the Artisan Dental Labs on the south side of Hawthorne, or for the Clinic on the corner of 25th and Hawthorne. Please note that it is quite dangerous to cross Hawthorne at that location, so please walk up to the light at SE 27th and walk back to the Center. The Dental Lab lot is available after 6pm weekdays, and all day on weekends and holidays. The Clinic lot is available after 6pm on weekdays, after noon on Saturdays, and all day Sunday.

If you are coming by car during normal business hours, go to 26th, then turn north and go one block to the Dharma House. Please refer to the parking map. It is very important not to park in front of residences on 25th, or on Madison between 24th and 26th. Parking alongside of the Zendo or in front of the Dharma House is fine, however. As a general rule, park at least one block away from the Center.

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