Scenic trip to Ashland, Oregon: Shakespeare, yes, but much more  

Some people, including many Bay Area residents, go to Ashland, Oregon just to see plays. Other people go just to play. It’s possible to do both while enjoying the scenic town set in a mountain valley.

Ashland, 16 miles north of the California border, is well known for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which runs from March to October in three downtown theaters. Though some of the festival offerings are by contemporary playwrights, it’s hard to miss the Shakespeare connection in the town, from Tudor architecture to business names taken from the Bard’s plays, such as an herb and vitamin store called “All’s Well.”

Wellness and relaxation are an important part of the scene. Ashland is home to a number of New Age businesses offering massage, yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy and energy and trauma healing. It’s a little bit of Santa Cruz in the Cascade Mountains.

The town’s healing powers may be derived from Ashland Creek, a tranquil waterway and popular gathering spot. The creek runs through 93-acre Lithia Park, a worthwhile stop that includes a winding path, tennis courts, hiking trails, playgrounds, a bandstand and a Japanese garden. Lithia Park ends at the downtown plaza, a bustling area filled with restaurants, stores and OSF theatres. On a summer’s eve, a relaxing dinner can be had at many restaurants that line the banks of Ashland Creek, such as Skout Taphouse or Greenleaf.

On the plaza, look for the drinking fountains bubbling over with creek water. It’s OK to drink it, but a sign does warn against imbibing every day. Be prepared for its pungent taste and aroma. Note the hanging flower baskets in the plaza area, a sure sign of summer in the Pacific Northwest.

For those who want to soak in water, there are two nearby hot springs. Jackson Wellsprings, which has a large pool, can be visited on a day pass.  Lithia Hot Springs resort is another alternative, but its pool is for its overnight hotel guests only. Jackson Wellsprings is open to clothed visitors during the day and is clothing-optional for adults at night.

Ashland can be hot during the summer, but it cools off late in the day, and is perfect for strolling after a meal, drink or theater performance.  Downtown has many unique stores, some geared toward the outdoors, others to students at nearby Southern Oregon University. A few blocks away, the Railroad District is a good place for a daytime walk past historic homes and stores selling yoga supplies, gardening tools or groceries. Wellness Pet Supplies sells life jackets for dogs.

The dog might use that life jacket near the Rogue River, which snakes through Southern Oregon a few miles north of Ashland. Noah’s Rafting, with a storefront location on the downtown plaza, offers a variety of options, including guided scenic floats and rafting excursions along the Rogue or on California’s Klamath River. Rafters will get wet and see spectacular green mountain scenery.

It’s easy to plan other day trips from Ashland. Crater Lake National Park is about 90 miles away.

Ashland has some interesting bookstores. The Hermeticus Book Shop sells fine used books in the Railroad District and TreeHouse Books, a “tiny” bookstore, primarily sells children’s and young adult books on the plaza. The Book Exchange, founded in 1971 and featuring used, new and antiquarian books, is another downtown shop.

For motorists, Ashland is just off Interstate Highway 5. It’s a five- to six-hour drive from the Bay Area. There are daily one-hour, 15-minute flights between Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (about a 25-minute drive from Ashland) and San Francisco International Airport on Alaska Airlines.

The post Scenic trip to Ashland, Oregon: Shakespeare, yes, but much more   appeared first on Local News Matters.