Ashland, Oregon: Unique Gem in Southern Oregon
Ashland, Oregon is located on Interstate 5 just 15 miles north of the Oregon California border. Located roughly half way between Portland and San Francisco, it is a small town with its own unique flavor, with many activities to busy any visitor. The Rogue River Valley that Ashland is at the south end of is a combination of recreation, agriculture, and enterprise. The Siskiyou region to the south and west provide summer and winter fun. And its only about a 21/2 hour drive from the coast region. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is considered one of the nation’s premier theater events. The hiking and biking, hunting and fishing, rafting and boating, all offer top-notch experiences within a short distance of the city.
The Rogue River runs at the north end of the valley, and is well known for its river rafting and wildlife viewing chances. If you remember the 1994 film “The River Wild” you will recognize The Rogue River. Crater Lake National Park, one of the most uniquely beautiful places you can find anywhere, is a short drive away. Formed from the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama about 7000 years ago, the lake is very deep, and exceptionally clear. To the south, west and east of Ashland are literally millions of acres of beautiful forest land with mile after mile of trails. The Cascade mountains to the east give way to the high desert of central Oregon as you travel toward Klamath Falls.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is more than just a one act event. There are several venues offering productions from the Bard as well as a wide variety of other writers. It runs from March through the end of October, and always draws good crowds. When I saw my first production there a few years ago, I was blown away by the quality of the play. It was “The Three Sisters” by Anton Chekov. If you like theater at all, it is worth the trip itself. There are package deals that combine lodging with the theater experience.
The lodging options are many from budget to luxury hotels to a great many bed and breakfasts. The dining is also quite varied. Downtown Ashland sits in the middle of it all, with the theaters, restaurants, and nightlife all within walking distance. Next to downtown is beautiful Lithia Park, set alongside a beautiful creek with walking trails and open areas. One of my favorite things to do in Ashland is to spend the late afternoon in Lithia Park, then get dinner from one of the many fine choices in downtown, sometimes choosing to stay for the club scene later in the evening. Ashland is not a big city, so where you choose to stay is close to everything it has to offer. There is really no “bad area” of Ashland. It has also become a big retirement draw in recent years, as people looking for retirement alternatives discover it.
If you are looking for a unique destination in its own right or a supplement to your vacation as you travel north or south, Ashland hits the mark.
