Explore Southern Oregon: Your Perfect Weekend Getaway

Food, wine, and wilderness–three things that we love, and few of the reasons you should plan a trip to Southern Oregon.

Oregon has long been an adventure seeker’s destination, and the southern part of the state offers a diverse mix of landscapes. From lush forests and meadows, raging rivers, and North America’s deepest lake, the area is popular with nature lovers.

Moreover, the area has a fast-growing culinary scene with award-winning restaurants, some of Oregon’s top chefs, and family-owned wineries set among the region’s scenic landscapes.

It is about a five and a half-hour drive from San Jose to the Oregon border, making a trip to Oregon an easy long weekend getaway from Silicon Valley or a stop on a road trip to Portland and points north in the Pacific Northwest. Prefer not to drive? Take the overnight Amtrak train from San Jose to Klamath Falls where you can rent a car and use that to explore the region.

Keep reading for our picks of the best things to see and do on a long weekend getaway to Southern Oregon.

01 of 07

Visiting Crater Lake National Park

A top reason for heading to Southern Oregon is the chance to catch a glimpse of the dramatic natural beauty of the state’s only national park, Crater Lake National Park. At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, formed more than 7,000 years ago after the volcanic peak Mount Mazama violently erupted and imploded.

There are trails all around the crater rim and hiking opportunities that take you down to the lake. In the summer, you can take a ferry out to Wizard Island to go hiking and enjoy a full 360-degree blue lake view from within the famous caldera.

Crater Lake is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the United States, and the weather at the top of the mountain rim is notoriously unpredictable. The area can experience blizzard-like snowstorms as late as June and as early as September. Therefore, calling ahead to check weather conditions before you leave is advisable.

02 of 07

Active Outdoor Adventures in the Rogue River Basin

The Rogue River is one of Oregon’s great treasures, running 215 miles from Crater Lake National Park, through Southern Oregon forests out to the Pacific Ocean. Consequently, it offers diverse opportunities for outdoor adventurers including world-class fishing, hiking, camping, rafting, and more. The section of the Rogue River just south of Grants Pass is known as the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, a federally-protected stretch that restricts development along the river.

For those looking to hit the water, one can explore the area’s many river tour companies. Rogue Wilderness Adventures provides a varied mix of guided river trips including single-day whitewater rafting, fishing excursions, and themed trips like Paddles & Pints (rafting with craft brews) and Hiking and Wiking (hiking combined with wine tasting). Additionally, they offer arrangements for multi-day trips. Alternatively, Hellgate Jetboat Excursions offers jetboat rides led by experienced river guides to provide insight and point out wildlife and scenic vistas along the way.

03 of 07

Take A Stroll Through Southern Oregon’s Historic Downtowns

Southern Oregon is rich in Gold Rush history. The 19th-Century downtowns that emerged during this era are charming places to explore, complete with shops, galleries, dining, and entertainment options. The towns of Ashland and Jacksonville have long attracted visitors, yet the revitalized downtown districts in the cities of Grants Pass and Medford are also noteworthy.

These towns host several important annual festivals and events. In Ashland, the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival draws visitors from around the globe to see classic plays by Shakespeare and other writers (February through November). In Jacksonville, the Britt Festival is one of Oregon’s premier summer performing arts festivals showcasing diverse musical genres in an outdoor amphitheater on the picturesque property once owned by 19th-Century Oregon photographer, Peter Britt.

04 of 07

Exploring Southern Oregon Wine Country

Southern Oregon’s wine history dates back to 1873 when local pioneer and renowned photographer Peter Britt opened Oregon’s first winery. While the industry faced setbacks during Prohibition, it has since flourished. Today, there are five distinct wine regions in Southern Oregon and over 150 wineries. The region’s significant day-to-night temperature shifts—the highest in the United States—and diverse landscapes contribute to an incredibly varied wine region that currently produces and crafts more than 70 types of wine.

Here are a few recommended wineries and tasting experiences from a recent trip to the Rogue and Applegate Valley wine regions.

In the Rogue Valley, visit Kriselle Cellars for rich red wines paired with stunning views of the valley vineyards at the foot of Table Rock. In the Applegate Valley, explore Red Lily Vineyard to sample Spanish varietals like tempranillo and grenache at their outdoor tasting bar overlooking the Applegate River. Stop by Plaisance Ranch for their award-winning French-inspired wines and to purchase grass-fed beef from their historic working ranch. A visit to Valley View Winery is also a must—it’s the Applegate Valley’s longest-running winery and a reincarnation of Peter Britt’s historic brand.

Prefer not to drive? Consider hiring a driver with Wine Hopper Tours, a company offering guided, expert-led wine tours of the Rogue Valley and Applegate Valley wine regions. Pickup is available from Ashland, Medford, Jacksonville, and Grants Pass.

05 of 07

Locally Crafted Foods & Farm Tours

Southern Oregon is emerging as a culinary and “agritourism” destination for travelers who relish visiting farm stands and learning about food. There are countless opportunities to taste locally grown products, explore farms, and visit where these items originate.

Pennington Berry Farm is a family-run berry farm and bakeshop in the Applegate Valley. Farmer Sam Pennington cultivates over 200 types of berries, while his wife, Cathy Pennington, crafts homemade pies, baked goods, and jams using cherished family recipes. Stepping inside their rustic, renovated barn, visitors can sample a daily selection of homemade berry jams, pies, and baked treat.

For an educational visit, check out Rogue Creamery Dairy Farm just outside of Grants Pass, where you can sample their award-winning cheeses made fresh from local milk. Explore the site, get a glimpse of the cows, and learn about their green technology and advanced robotic milking machine. They offer free guided tours of the farm on Fridays at noon. In Central Point, you can also stop by the main Rogue Creamery Cheese Shop and visit Lillie Belle Farms for award-winning artisan chocolates and “bean-to-bar” creations.

06 of 07

Birdwatching

Heading east, the Klamath Falls region is one of the premier birding destinations in the United States. The basin’s diverse habitats create an ideal environment for a wide range of local and migratory birds. More than 350 species of birds inhabit the Klamath Basin, and over one in three birds traveling the Pacific Flyway each year stop in the area. The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, is the first federally protected wildfowl refuge in the US.

From December to March, the region boasts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Early risers can observe more than a hundred bald eagles flying out from their roost near Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge, heading into the valley to hunt and feed. Besides the eagles, visitors can expect to see Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, egrets, herons, hawks, owls, and much more. The annual Winter Wings Festival attracts birders and wildlife photography enthusiasts from across the nation.

To enhance your birdwatching experience, pick up a copy of the Klamath Basin Birders Trail guide for detailed maps, photos, and descriptions of the best birding spots in the Klamath region.

07 of 07

Where to Stay in Southern Oregon

The historic Gold Rush-era town of Jacksonville boasts a charming and walkable downtown, making it a great place to stay if you wish to immerse yourself in local history. On my recent trip, I stayed at the Wine Country Inn, a 27-room inn just outside downtown. The motel-style lodging offers spacious rooms that feature solid wood furnishings and quality bedding for a comfortable experience.

If your travels take you to Klamath Falls, consider the Running Y Ranch Resort, which extends across 3,600 acres of forest bordering Klamath Lake. This property features 12 miles of hiking and biking trails and is home to Oregon’s only Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. The cozy lodge includes fireplaces and warm wood accents throughout, along with a separate sports complex offering a full-service day spa, indoor pool, and jacuzzi.