One of the things you need to know about living in Lake Oswego is this: when it comes to summertime, you need to make room in your calendar for out-of-town visitors. The combination of beauty, weather, lake, and special events makes it a popular stop for both first time and repeat guests. Here are some ideas for keeping everyone happy (but be warned: they will want to come back!)

Go jump in the lake. Just show proof of residence in the city of Lake Oswego, and escort your guests into the Lake Oswego Swim Park on Ridgeway Road. Park is open from July 1 through August 28. 250 Ridgeway Road, 503. 953.9328.

If you live within the original Lake Grove School District boundary, you and your guests can enjoy the Lake Grove Swim Park located at the corner of South Shore and Lakeview Boulevards. The park opens June 11 through August 28 and then re-opens for Labor Day weekend. 3800 Lakeview Boulevard, 503.635.0356.

Take a hike. As a Realtor I’ve found that in many cases, Lake Oswego sells itself. Out-of-towners are just awestruck by its natural beauty. So lace up your shoes and take them out on one of our scenic pathways either around the lake (about 7 miles with vantage points along the way), or the Iron Mountain Trail that climbs up behind the Lake Oswego Hunt Club.

Go To Market, To Market. Voted Oregonian readers’ favorite metro area farmers market, this is a great place to start your Saturday, or as the finish line to one of those hikes you need to take. Get there after 10:00 a.m. and enjoy live entertainment. Plan on refueling with lots of made-on-the-premises food choices to save you cooking in the kitchen.

Get a sugar high. Portland may have Voodoo, but Lake Oswego has Nola’s. Pastry chef Robert Herkes’s creations borrow from the French tradition of layering dough and are a delicious marriage of croissants and doughnuts, called “La-ssants.” We had one visitor proclaim the Madagascar vanilla, “the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

If cupcakes are more your crowd’s weakness, then take them to Kyra’s Bake Shop, now the only four-time winner of food network’s Cupcake Wars. (You don’t even have to tell them they are gluten-free because they’ll never notice!)

Wine tasting. While Lake Oswego is only about an hour away from famous wineries in spots like Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville, several local businesses have made tasting even easier by bringing the wine to you. Bring your wine lovers to one of these spots and depending where you live, you can even walk home!

• World Class Wines. Features “Summer Sips” on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sample different wines for $5/glass. On Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., you can enjoy six different wines for $15 or add on two bonus pours for $5 more. 149 A Avenue, 503.974.9841.

• Wizer’s Fine Wines. Treat your guests to free wine tastings every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check their Facebook page to see what wines they’ll be pouring that day. 269 A Avenue, 503.636.1414.

• Vin Italy. For the Italophiles in your group, head over to Vin Italy on the second Saturday of the month to enjoy Italian wines and appetizers from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. for $5. 16035 Boones Ferry Road, 503.636.4104.

• Oswego Hills Winery. Do your tasting amid the spectacular setting of the Oswego Hills Winery, located just outside of town. Tastings are held every Sunday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. 450 S. Rosemont Road, West Linn, 503.655.2599.

Get crafty (as in beer). If Portland is considered the beer capital of the world, and Lake Oswego is only 12 miles from Portland, then we must have some of our own bragging rights, right? Let’s just say the craft is honored here as well with several establishments filling their taps with some of the best local brewers have to offer. Here are a few places to try.

• Hop n Cork, 17450 Lower Boones Ferry Road, 503.305.5903.

• Maher’s Pub,  352 B Avenue, 503.305.8087.

• Stickmen’s Brewery and Skewery, 40 N. State Street, 503.344.4449.

Hop on the trolley. The Willamette Shore Trolley is making runs on summer weekends beginning in July and running through the first weekend in September. The seven mile, 40 minute round trips depart at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $6/Adults, $5/Seniors 55+, $3 Children, and Free for 2 and under.

Read 52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego. Subscribe to my blog by clicking on the “Sign me up” tab on the top right hand column and receive weekly updates right to your inbox on things to do in Lake Oswego. Then, no matter when your guests show up on your doorstep, you’ll be prepared! (And if they fall in love with Lake Oswego, and decide they want to move here, give me a call at 503.939.9801 or check out my website. I’d love to show them around.)

Photo credit: digitalart at freedigitalphotos.net