# Ashland (Oregon)

Ashland is a city in Southern Oregon located at the south end of the Rogue Valley, only about 15 miles from the California border.

## Understand

Ashland is a small town, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the country. Southern Oregon University balances the tourist population with students throughout the year. The weather is relatively mild, with a few days of snow in the winter, several days of 100F weather in the summer. Some believe that the town resembles northern Italy or Switzerland, with snow-covered peaks in the winter, a lake not too far away in the valley, and a nice, small-town, community feel that is oh-so-rare these days in the States.
There are two main business districts: one downtown, centered on the Plaza and running southwest along Main Street toward the library. This old-fashioned boutique shopping area is home to many amazing restaurants. In fact, you'll have a hard time finding a bad meal. Connected to this area is 93-acre Lithia Park $^{[deadlink]}$ which was designed in part by John McLaren (also the designer of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park) in 1914. The other business district is around two miles to the southeast along Siskiyou Boulevard where it meets Ashland Street/Highway 66, near the Southern Oregon University campus and the Ashland Shopping Center. Ashland has a limited number of drive-through permits, and thus fast food joints. Wendy's, Taco Bell, Subway and other chains are still open in Ashland.
Outside of the business districts, Ashland offers a host of outdoor attractions. The famous Pacific Crest Trail, Crater Lake, rafting, biking and Mount Ashland ski slope are all nearby.
Many public places, including most hotels and B&Bs, coffeehouses and even pubs offer free wireless Internet access.

## Get in
### By car

Exit 11 (Northbound only), 14 or 19 from Interstate 5 in Oregon.

### By bus

Greyhound stops in nearby Medford. The local RVTD bus Route 10 stops at Mr. C's (where the Greyhound bus stations is) at :26 & 56 past the hour. The bus ride into downtown will take you about 10 minutes. Buses run between 5:26AM and 6:56PM, Monday-Friday. You pay when you get on the bus.

### By taxi

Taxi service is available from Ashland Taxi Cab +1 541 890-8080 or Yellow Cab +1 541 482-3065.

### By plane

The Medford International Airport is located 15 miles north of Ashland and is serviced by Allegiant Air, United Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air. Cascade Airport Shuttle +1 541 488-1998, taxis and some hotels provides service from the airport to Ashland for a nominal fee.
If you are flying your own plane, you can use the Ashland airport (S03).

### By train

The closest Amtrak station is located in Klamath Falls, approximately 80 miles away. A shuttle meets the Coast Starlight from California at 10:20AM each day arriving in Ashland at 1PM If you are traveling from the north you must take the connection bus from Portland to the Ashland shuttle. Both shuttles arrive at Safeway about a half mile from downtown. Check www.amtrak.com for more information. *Note:* The Southwest Point shuttle from Klamath Falls to the area is much cheaper than adding the bus leg on an Amtrak ticket $^{[deadlink]}$

## Get around

Parking is free, and easy to find in the wintertime, but summertime availability is a different story, with downtown parking getting quite scarce on evenings when the Shakespeare Festival has shows (i.e., every night but Monday). Many hotels and B&Bs are located close enough to the center of town to make it an easy walk. There are bike lanes downtown and extending outward from the downtown area, making this an easy town to bike around in.
Most days, the Rogue Valley Transportation District operates buses running from one end of town to the other; these buses are $2.00. Be aware, however, the buses run limited hours (5:30AM to 7PM) and do not run at all on weekends.

## See

Take a walk along Ashland Creek running down from the hills along Lithia Park, along Calle Guanajuato, running behind the Plaza restaurants and storefonts, and through the center of town. There are plenty of picnic benches and sitting benches for contemplation and conversation in the woods, as well as duck ponds, playgrounds, two large greens and a skating rink in the winter.

## Do

* 42.1962-122.71511 Oregon Shakespeare Festival, 15 S. Pioneer St, ☏ +1 541 482-4331, toll-free: +1-800-219-8161 (box office). February through November with no plays on Mondays. One of the largest venues for production of Shakespeare's plays in North America, OSF provides a continuous run of theatrical works from early spring until late fall. In a single weekend, adventurous theater lovers can easily fit in 3 or 4 plays. The rotating repertory season of 11 plays typically includes three Shakespeare pieces, with the remainder made up of modern classics, contemporary pieces, and often one or two world or West coast premieres. The staging and acting is of consistently high quality, but the festival is very popular and buying tickets in advance is almost mandatory. Last-minute travelers can pick up spare tickets at the on-site box office or by holding up a sign on the festival plaza (aka "the bricks"). If you come during the spring or fall and/or see shows on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday night you can sometimes get Rush tickets from the box office for 50% off or as little as $6. Call the box office the day of and ask if they think any shows will rush. Also $30-50 (discount during spring and fall, 25-50% discount for youth and seniors).
* Ashland Independent Film Festival. Held each year in April.

### Regional Activities

* Rafting on the Rogue and Upper Klamath Rivers. Check out Indigo Creek Outfitters, Northwest Rafting Company, Kokopelli River Guides$^{[deadlink]}$, Momentum River Expeditions, Noahs Rafting for 1/2, one day, and multi-day trips.
* 42.14934-122.616292 Emigrant Lake. A Jackson County park offering boating, lake swimming, fishing, and two large water slides.
* 42.94355-122.108723 Crater Lake. Is the deepest lake in the US and known for its intensely blue waters. (80 miles north of Ashland).
* 42.19708-122.715974 Lithia Artisans' Market (Downtown). Seasonal, weather permitting.
* First Friday Artwalk. Is a free event held the first Friday evening of every month in which the galleries and wineries join force. Patrons stroll Ashland's many galleries to meet the artists, see demonstrations and enjoy free refreshments and entertainment. (updated Jun 2017)
* Britt Festival. In nearby historic Jacksonville is an open-air concert space with varied events all summer.
* Fishing in the Rogue River.
* 42.0833-122.7175 Mount Ashland Ski Area, 11 Mt. Ashland Ski Rd, ☏ +1 541-482-2897, info@mtashland.com. On Mt. Ashland.
* Hiking on Mt. Ashland (Pacific Crest Trail proximity).

### Holidays

* Impressive Halloween crowd downtown.
* The Fourth of July Parade is a big event for the town; it draws visitors from around the region.
* Festival of Lights Parade at the end of November; when all the Christmas lights in the town are turned on.

### Live theaters

* Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Elizabethan, Angus L. Bowmer and New Theaters.
* Oregon Cabaret. Is the other most compelling theatre in town. Enjoy dinner, drinks and hilarious musical comedy all in the same place. Even if you don't come early for dinner, order a slice of Dick Hay Pie for intermission.
* The Green Show.
* Oregon Stage Works.
* 42.190028-122.7169726 Lithia Park. ’s band shell offers Ashland City Band concerts on Thursday nights and Ballet Rogue performs on Monday nights during the summer.

### Movie theaters

* 42.185361-122.6862647 Ashland Street Cinema, 1644 Ashland St, ☏ +1 541-488-4040. First-run movies-located in the Ashland Shopping Center at southwest end of town.
* 42.19601-122.713298 Varsity Theater, 166 E Main St, ☏ +1 541-482-3321. Some smaller run and independent films-located downtown near Ashland Springs Hotel.

## Buy

* 42.19536-122.711661 Bloomsbury Books.

## Eat

Ashland's status as a theater and tourist destination means more good restaurants per capita than might be expected in a town of its size. There are also plenty of budget offerings for the town's college students. Many restaurants offer vegetarian choices. However, Ashland is one of the few places in Oregon that charges a 5% local sales tax on all prepared food. Here are some popular places by price and area:

### Budget
#### North End

* 42.20477-122.719921 Big Al's, 474 N Main St, ☏ +1 541 482-6481. Burgers serves standard and specialty burgers and sandwiches (including veggie burgers) as well as a complete Mexican menu.
* 42.20898-122.722972 The Breadboard, 744 N Main St, ☏ +1 541-488-0295. Breakfast and lunch.

#### Downtown

* 42.19812-122.716113 Bento's East, 3 Granite St. Asian fusion lunch menu.
* 42.19751-122.715734 Louie's, 41 N Main St, ☏ +1 541 482-9701, louiesofashland@gmail.com. Sometimes has inexpensive lunch specials.

#### Southwest end

There are also fast food chains like Subway, Taco Bell and Wendy's.
* 42.18461-122.689145 Market of Choice Deli, 1475 Siskiyou Blvd, ☏ +1 541-488-2773. Daily 7AM-9PM.

### Mid-range
#### Downtown

* 42.19776-122.71596 The Black Sheep, 51 N Main St, ☏ +1 541-482-6414. Tu-Sa 4:30PM-11:30PM, Su 11AM-11:30PM. Remarkably authentic English pub grub.
* 42.19834-122.716127 Brothers Deli, 95 N Main St, ☏ +1 541-482-9671. Daily 7:30AM-1:30PM. Breakfast and lunch only; omelettes, burgers, and sandwiches.
* 42.19765-122.715758 Greenleaf Restaurant, 49 N Main St, ☏ +1 541-482-2808, eat@greenleafrestaurant.com. Fresh, Healthy & Delicious. Family Friendly. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Catering, Picnics, Boxed lunches. Vegetarian, Gluten Free & Vegan options. Hot sandwiches, soups, salads and specialties. Creekside dining.A local favorite for over 25 years.
* Louie's, 41 N Main St. Voted "Most Interesting Burgers" and "Best Value on the Plaza" by Ashland's Sneak Preview Magazine. A fun and family-friendly "Cheers" atmosphere. Creekside dining.
* 42.1953-122.71189 Pangea, 272 E Main St, ☏ +1 541-552-1630. Wraps, sandwiches, salads and soups. (well-behaved dogs OK at sidewalk tables.)

#### Southwest end

* 42.18754-122.6954910 Morning Glory, 1149 Siskiyou Blvd (Right next door to Subway), ☏ +1 541-482-2017. Wonderful breakfasts and lunches.
* 42.18502-122.6913911 Omar's, 1380 Siskiyou Blvd, ☏ +1 541-482-1281, omarsrestaurant@gmail.com. 4PM-9PM. Traditional dining, steaks & seafood.

### Splurge
#### Downtown

* 42.19577-122.7128812 Larks, 212 E Main St. American gourmet, including comfort foods. (well-behaved dogs OK at sidewalk tables.)
* 42.19833-122.7158213 Thai Pepper, 84 N Main St, ☏ +1 541 482-8058. W-Su 5PM-9PM. Thai cuisine. Creekside dining.
* 42.19479-122.7120714 The Winchester Inn, 35 S 2nd St, ☏ +1 541 488-1113. New American cuisine with French influence. Outside garden patio seating. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Great wine bar.

#### Railroad District

* 42.19779-122.7076515 Peerless Restaurant, 265 4th St, ☏ +1 541-488-6067. Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM. Creative Northwestern. (updated Jun 2017)

## Drink
### Brewpubs

* 42.19844-122.71591 Creekside Pizza, 92 1/2 N Main St, ☏ +1 541-482-4131. Newly reopened with a satisfying selection of beer and pizza.
* The Black Sheep, 51 N Main St, ☏ +1 541-482-6414. Tu-Sa 4PM-11:30PM, Su 11AM-11:30PM. English-style pub offering a full menu of many pub food classics and specialties as well as draft and bottled beers and spirits.
* Louie's Bar and Grill, 41 N Main St. Family-friendly "Cheers" atmosphere, bi-weekly rotating microbrews, historic 100-year-old restored bar.
* 42.18194-122.662782 The Caldera Taproom, 590 Clover Ln, ☏ +1 541 482-HOPS (4677). Extensive offering of beer brewed in Ashland by Caldera Brewing Company with a small menu of pub fare.

### Local wines

* 42.19485-122.712133 Winchester Wine Bar, 35 S 2nd St. Specializes in local wines. They have wineries pour every Thursday night. The bar also functions as a retail bottle shop. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays with no cover.
* 42.22037-122.678654 Grizzly Peak Winery, 1600 E Nevada St, ☏ +1 541 482-5700, grizzlypeakwines@gmail.com. (updated Feb 2020)

### Coffeeshops

* 42.19794-122.707425 Noble Coffee Roasting, 281 4th St, ☏ +1 541 488-3288. Locally (small-batch) roasted organic and fair trade coffee and a sleek, laid-back space. Located in the railroad district near several art galleries and the Greenway walking/biking path. Free wireless.
* 42.19777-122.715856 Mix Bakeshop, 57 N Main St, ☏ +1 541-488-9885, info@mixashland.com. Su-Th 7AM-9PM, F-Sa 7AM-9:30PM. Serves Stumptown Coffee (from Portland a leading direct trade coffee roaster). Right downtown on the plaza high-quality sweets, pastries, and coffee. Homemade ice cream. Free wireless.
* 42.19776-122.714597 Case Coffee, 44 Lithia Way. Located directly across from the SOU campus on Siskiyou Blvd. Free wireless.
* 42.18527-122.687928 The Beanery. Ashland and Walker Streets, at the Southwest end. Free wireless.
* 42.19416-122.702829 Rogue Valley Roasting Company, 917 East Main St, ☏ +1 541 488-5902. M-Sa 6:45AM-6PM, Su 7AM-3PM. Serving great coffee, fantastic locally-made pastries (both sweet and savory!) and ice cream, along with many other great hot and cold drinks. Free wireless, In-House Computer, as well as Outdoor porch or patio seating.
* 42.19836-122.709410 La Baguette/Hardware Cafe, 340 A St (at Third), ☏ +1 541 482-0855. Mostly a bakery, has excellent stuffed bagels, breads and other baked treats. Not open on the weekend.
* Bloomsbury Books. Has a coffeehouse in its second-floor loft. Free wireless.

## Sleep

* 42.194827-122.7121581 Winchester Inn, 35 S 2nd St, ☏ +1 541-488-1113, toll-free: +1-800-972-4991. Two blocks from OSF. 19 rooms and suites. Full gourmet breakfast included. Beautiful gardens. Free WiFi. Great packages available. Historic building, 1st southern Oregon Hospital. Rates are $140-190 in winter, $165-299 in spring/fall and $205-299 in summer.
* 42.18856-122.697062 Palm Cottages, toll-free: +1-800-691-2360. Across from Southern Oregon University, a few blocks from downtown, and is known for being a two-time winner of the Ashland Garden of Month award. It has a pool, a lot of gardens, phones, cable TV, kitchens, free WiFi and a horde of other amenities. Rates range from $64 to $98 in winter, $69-$115 in Spring/Fall and $95-169 in summer.
* 42.1955-122.7123 Columbia Hotel, toll-free: +1 800-718-2530. Right downtown 1 block from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival at 262 East Main Street. Rates range from $49 to $69 in winter, $59-$105 in Spring/Fall and $73-$125 in summer. The Columbia is special in that walking up the stairs is akin to going back to 1910 when it was built. It's a must see when you visit Ashland.
* Ashland's Bed and Breakfast Network, toll-free: +1-800-944-0329. Is an association of 25+ inns that cooperatively provide free lodging referral service for visitors to Ashland, Oregon. ABBN is Ashland's only lodging association run entirely by volunteers, and the B&B have all met the associations high standards set for membership.
* 42.192411-122.710024 Chanticleer Inn, 120 Gresham St, ☏ +1 541-482-1919. Ashland's oldest luxury B&B in quiet historic neighborhood. Elegantly renovated 1920 Craftsman. Gourmet breakfasts, organic coffee, cookies, pvt baths, king beds, AC, WiFi, NYTimes, secluded gardens.
* 42.20365-122.717745 Arden Forest Inn, 261 W Hersey St. Bed & breakfast on an acre of lush, park-like gardens.
* 42.195796-122.7128226 Ashland Springs Hotel, 212 E Main St, ☏ +1 541-488-1700. Downtown on East Main Street in a historic building which was, for many years, the tallest building between San Francisco and Portland. (updated Feb 2016)
* 42.19944-122.715557 The Plaza Inn, 98 Central Ave, ☏ +1 541-488-8900, toll-free: +1 888-488-0358. Generic hotel located north of downtown.
* Mt Ashland House. The only year round vacation rental actually on Mt. Ashland, on the access road (Mt. Ashland Ski Rd) is a 2 bedroom, split level log home, minutes from skiing (Mt. Ashland Ski resort), hiking (The Pacific Crest trail), biking and the Beautiful Tashi Chöling’s traditional Tibetan temple, makes this the perfect vacation rental. Mt. Ashland House is on an acre of land, in a private, secluded location. Mt. Ashland House is just 6 miles north of the California border, at the 5,000 foot level.
* 42.20079-122.705128 Ashland Commons, 437 Williamson Way (see website), ☏ +1 541 482-6753. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 10:30AM. Two homey units; perfect for groups, families, as well as individuals. 2 equipped kitchens, 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, a/c, tv, wifi, off street parking, laundry, patio. Walk to downtown and theaters. $20-$45.
* High Street Cottage. Lovely little two-bedroom house within walking distance of downtown shops, theaters and park. Immaculately clean and well-kept by the owners.
* 42.12565-122.609489 Ashland Mountain House B&B, 1148 Old Hwy 99 S (4 miles south of town), toll-free: +1-866-899-2744. Check-in: 4-7PM, check-out: Noon. Built in 1852, the Ashland Mountain House served as a stagecoach stop for 25 years. Today, this old yellow farmhouse 5 miles from town is once again welcoming weary travelers with its gracious hospitality and beautiful setting on 6 acres overlooking hills and valleys. Inside the inn, you'll find a library with an antique Steinway piano and floor-to-ceiling shelves of books. Wood floors and original woodwork give the interior a classic feel, while hand-silk-screened wallpapers do a great job of conjuring up this old house's early years. $139-$209.
* 42.17162-122.6774710 Country Willows Inn, 1313 Clay St, ☏ +1 541 488-1590. A country bed and breakfast with eight rooms and suites, one private cottage, an onsite pool and nearby hiking trails. $160-310. (updated Jul 2018)
* 42.1868-122.662711 Ashland Hills Hotel and Suites, 2525 Ashland St, toll-free: +1-855-482-8310. (updated Jun 2019)