8 Ways to Dine Al Fresco at Caldera Springs and Sunriver Resort

Central Oregon summers are best spent outside, and Caldera Springs makes it easy to enjoy al fresco dining from breakfast to dinner. Located in Sunriver, Oregon just 15 minutes from Bend, the private residential resort community spans more than 1,000 acres of Ponderosa forest, trails, lakes, streams and protected wildlife habitat, giving owners and guests plenty of room to spend the day in the fresh air.

Dining fits naturally into that setting. The morning can start with coffee by the lake before a bike ride, lunch can happen poolside, and dinner can be enjoyed on your vacation home patio. Owners and guests booking through Sunriver Resort Vacation Properties also enjoy access to nearby Sunriver Resort, adding even more ways to dine, gather and spend time outside.

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1. Start the Day on Your Outdoor Patio

Mornings at Caldera Springs are perfect for enjoying breakfast outside. Prepare coffee and your favorite morning bites in the kitchen and bring everything to the patio for fresh mountain air and private al fresco dining. 

Caldera Springs vacation homes make this part of the day feel relaxed and unhurried. Many homes include outdoor seating, generous patios and space for groups to gather before heading out for the day’s first adventure. For owners and guests of the new Lakeside vacation homes, the day can begin even closer to the water, with lake views, trail access and Forest House nearby.

2. Grab Coffee at Shore Shack

Shore Shack offers a relaxed lakefront stop for coffee, to-go breakfast items, pastries, lunch or a snack between activities. Located next to Lake House, it fits naturally into the day before a morning on the water, after a bike ride or whenever owners and guests want something casual by the lake, from coffee near the shore to lunch by the fire pit.

3. Enjoy Lunch Poolside at Piney’s

Forest House, the community’s aquatic complex, features many of Caldera Springs’ most-loved amenities, from the double-racer water slide, lazy river, daybeds and cabanas to the fitness center, duckpin bowling and indoor games. 

Piney’s serves the Pool Deck and Family Room with indoor-outdoor food and drink service, giving Caldera Springs owners and guests a place to grab lunch, take a shaded break between swims or games, and head back to the water without leaving Forest House or changing out of swimsuits. For owners and guests at Lakeside, Forest House sits close enough to make poolside lunch a natural part of the day.

4. Plan a Picnic at the Park

Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon outdoors at Caldera Springs. Pick up fruit and snacks from the Sunriver Country Store, grab breakfast or lunch to go from Shore Shack, or visit the Sunriver Resort Farmers Market each Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM through August 28 for fresh-baked goods, flowers, honey, produce and other local finds. Then choose a spot at Discovery Park, Forest Park or Preservation Park and spread out a blanket beneath the pines.

Discovery Park sits near The Quarry, making it a natural place to picnic after pool time, tennis, pickleball or basketball. Forest Park offers plenty of space to set up and dine near the courts, dog park or sledding hill, while Preservation Park provides a calmer setting beside paths and water features.

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5. Host a Patio BBQ at Your Caldera Springs Vacation Home

A casual backyard BBQ fits the way people spend time at Caldera Springs and is a great way to refuel after a busy day of adventure.

Many Caldera Springs vacation homes include generous outdoor areas and indoor-outdoor gathering spaces, perfect for groups who want a private dining experience. The cook can stay connected to the conversation. Younger guests can move between the patio and forest. Friends can pour wine, pass plates and keep the night going as the air cools.

6. Dine on the Lake House Patio

Lake House gives Caldera Springs one of its most memorable places to dine outdoors, with a patio overlooking Obsidian Lake and Mt. Bachelor beyond. Water, sky and mountain views bring a distinctly Central Oregon feel to lunch, happy hour or dinner, while the Pacific Northwest-inspired menu works just as well after a morning on the trails as it does for a longer evening by the lake. Guests can dine close to home, with no need to drive or break the flow of the day. 

7. Visit The Backyard at Sunriver Resort

The Backyard Cafe & Bar at Sunriver Resort gives Caldera Springs owners and guests another nearby place to dine outside. Set beside the Great Meadow at Sunriver Resort, The Backyard serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed outdoor setting, with timeless classics, local craft beer and wine, gelato and plenty of open lawn space to play.

Summer brings live music to The Backyard every Friday and Saturday from July through Labor Day Weekend, giving guests another reason to bring a blanket, order food or drinks and enjoy time outdoors at Sunriver Resort.

8. End the Day With S’mores by the Fire

A Central Oregon dinner outside deserves a sweet ending. Cooler evening air, darker skies and an inviting fire pit glow can turn dessert into the best part of the day.

Lake House and Forest House offer s’mores kits for roasting around the outdoor fire pits, while many Caldera Springs vacation homes include private fire pits for guests who want a more private fireside experience. The plan is simple: chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows and a clear summer sky.

Enjoy Outdoor Dining, All Day Long at Caldera Springs

Outdoor dining comes naturally at Caldera Springs, where vacation homes, resort amenities, lakes, ponds, trails, patios, poolside food and Central Oregon views all come together near Sunriver Resort.

Lakeside vacation homes are now selling. To learn more about availability, contact the Caldera Springs Sales Team at 541-593-3000 or sales@calderasprings.com.