We've been coming to our vacation home for over 15 years and still find so much to enjoy 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. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival open in April and will show plays until October. 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 off leash. 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/pickleball 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 in the summer 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.
The space
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:
1) main bedroom has a Q bed and ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower.
2) the front bedroom has a Q bed, a double size futon and a half bath just outside the room.
3) the 3rd bedroom has a twin size bunk bed as well as space for remote work.
There is no TV since we prefer reading or being out and about while on vacation. 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 (assuming there are no visiting deer dozing under the grapes).
Guest access
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.
Notes
We welcome a well behaved small or medium sized dog, 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.
Features
Washer
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Oven
Microwave
Coffee machine
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
Air conditioning
TV
WiFi
High Speed Internet
Bathtub
First aid kit
Wheelchair accessible
Smoke alarms
Fire extinguisher
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Fireplace
Home cinema
Toys
Gym
Sauna
BBQ
Pool
Hot tub
Balcony
Garden / yard
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Kosher home
Meat-free kitchen
Gated community
EV Home Charger
Bikes
Camping gear
Kayak
Tennis court
Standup paddleboard
Travel Styles
Long term
Weekend
Adventure
Family
Foodie
Relaxing
Mountains
Culture
Hiking
Cycling
Accessibility
Single level
House rules
Unsuitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets welcome
No smoking
Allergens
Cat free
Smoke free
Dates of Availability
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Neighbourhood
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.
Getting to my home
As with most US destinations, having your own car makes things easier. 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.
Nearest airport
Medford Airport (MFR) is 20 minutes away with ride sharing apps available for transport to Ashland.
Getting around
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.
Map of Approximate Location
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People Like Us Local Guide
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!
Feedback
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Premium
Shikha
We're transitioning back to 2 in our travel party as our kids are now in college. This means we have more flexibility in travel dates since we can work remotely and won't be as tied to school schedules. We would love to stay in a place long enough to get to know the local trails and bakeries (we like to balance our foodie love with exercise). We'd also like to travel with our 2 (now adult) kids during their college vacations (Dec-Jan, May-Aug). We especially appreciate anyone within driving distance to let us bring our small dog.
We would consider opening up our primary home in Corvallis to international home exchangers who might want to experience a few different locations during one longer trip. Corvallis is home to Oregon State University, conveniently located within an hours drive to the spectacular Oregon coast or 90 minutes to Portland.
"Would enjoy being near a body of water (lake, river, bay, ocean) for a week or 2"
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