Adventure in Oregon - theater AND nature together

We've been coming to our vacation home for over a decade and find so much to do in this small town nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. An easy walk in one direction will take you to many restaurants and art galleries downtown. The monthly Art and Wine Walk is a great way to take in the local art and meet others. Many restaurants offer takeout that you can enjoy picnic style at a park or take back to the house. We're excited that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is open once again, with a few plays this year and an outdoor concert series. OSF is the reason we go to Ashland so much - its repertory theater company is amazing with gifted actors as well as contemporary play selections. Walk another direction and head into the forested spaces for soul satisfying nature trails. The Bear Creek Greenway offers miles of paved paths. There's even a nearby dog park to let your dog makes friends too. Lithia Park is a gem of a place that's also within walking distance and offers trails along Lithia Creek, a Japanese Garden, outdoor tennis courts and an amphitheater where local community bands entertain in the summer. A parking lot is transformed into an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter with affordable skate rentals provided by the city. You can head to the mountains by foot, bike or car to take in the majestic views that the Pacific Northwest is known for. You could even hike part of the famed Pacific Crest Trail! There are SO many outdoor adventures to take part in, from rafting white water to mountain biking. We've enjoyed renting paddle boards and heading to a lake to spend a sunny afternoon practicing our balancing skills. You can spend your day at the farmer's market or meandering down country roads to go wine tasting. Oregon grows luscious foods - the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available here will delight anyone who loves to cook. Or if you just like to eat, there's plenty that requires minimal effort - like a freshly picked peach, or a visit to a local creamery for amazing blue cheese and butter. Ashland has a great mix of activities for kids as well as adults. We've explored so much here and would be happy to share our favorite things to do to help you experience the beauty of this area.

This house has ample space for a family to relax after a day of activities. If you can tell from the exterior of the house, we love color and have tried to make the interior feel fun. Cozy leather furnishings in the living room make it easy to sit and read a book or plan your next day's adventures. Ductless heat pumps ensures that the main spaces stay cool in the summer and toasty warm in the winter. There are 3 bedrooms - the kids room sports a bunk bed as well as a double size futon. The back bedroom has another double size futon and a single one if needed. The master bedroom has a Queen bed and small closet for clothes storage. Both bathrooms were remodeled in 2020 and are bright and sparkling. The shower head is adjustable which makes it easy to accommodate adults as well as kids. There is no TV since we prefer reading while on vacation. You'll find plenty of books in the house. There is wi-fi so you can stay connected if you want, especially if you'd like to work remotely (we've managed many zoom meetings with no problem). You can relax out back on the covered deck which has a hammock for an afternoon nap. Or grab a chair and sit under the grape arbor. The fenced in patio is a secure place for kids to practice some chalk art or to let your pup out for a run in the back.

The house is a single story with 3 steps to reach the front door or 8 steps via the back door. An electronic lock allows us to easily send you a code to access the house for your visit.

We welcome well behaved dogs, and have a fenced yard for them (but don't leave them unattended - sometimes we have visiting deer!). No cats please due to possible allergies.

Residential area, easy to walk around. 2 schools are within a quarter mile, which provide grassy areas and playgrounds. World class Lithia Park is less than a mile away and offers strolls along a lovely creek as well as wooded paths, even tennis courts.

As with most US destinations, having your own car makes things easiest. Ashland is near a major highway (I-5) so it's easy enough to travel to from California or Portland. Uber and Lyft operate in the area.

Medford Airport (MFR) is 20 minutes away with ride sharing apps available for transport to Ashland.

Once you arrive at the house, you don't need to drive if you don't want to. There are restaurants and groceries within half a mile. However, having a car will open up many more experiences - neighboring areas have a lot to offer, such as visiting wineries and orchards in the Applegate Valley. Several pristine lakes and rivers are within an hour or so drive. The famous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) can be accessed from just outside Ashland. The California border is a half hour's drive.

I would love to meet PLU members coming through the area! One caveat - my primary home is in Corvallis, Oregon about 4 hours north of Ashland. If you're driving through the Willamette Valley, let me know!