I agree, stay in the city. If the weather happens to be as fantastic as it is right now, just find a way to day trip to the wineries or the Gorge. There are tour companies or you could use something like Zipcar or Car2Go. The coast is amazing, but do keep an eye on the weather to make your plans. Our beaches are not warm in any way.

I can see the Nines building from my office window. There is everything you need around here or along the Max and bus lines.

I happen to be a huge craft beer fan, so I can tell you anything you need in that department. Walk to Bailey's and the Upper Lip (which is above Bailey's). Both are taprooms, but you can get food from Santeria across the street and it's super tasty. Take the Orange Line Max to Beer Monger's and Apex. I'm in love with Loyal Legion right now. It does get really busy at night though so I tend to do afternoon beers there.

Totally agree with food carts. I walk to the huge pod at 12th and Alder quite often. You'll be really close to there. The choices are endless. Make sure you get a donut from Blue Star at some point as well. If you like healthy stuff, I get juice from Kure all the time. Their Bowl of the Gods is a thing of beauty.