A Quaint Spot In Oregon With Hiking Trails And Unique Shops Is America's Coziest College Town

What is about American college towns that's so appealing? Perhaps it's the notion that an institution of higher learning infuses a place with a touch of culture and sophistication, along with plenty of laid-back bohemian vibes. Maybe it's the youthful verve the students bring, or the brain power of the faculty teaching them, but college communities often combine the best elements of city life with the warmth and togetherness found in small towns.

Cozy is a word that springs to mind when describing the ideal college town, and according some, Ashland, Oregon is America's coziest. This settlement of just over 20,000 people is surrounded by mountains and greenery. It also has a pretty, walkable downtown packed with bookstores, cafes, breweries, and quality eateries focusing on fresh, local ingredients. Attached to the town is the Southern Oregon University, a highly-rated state school, and Ashland also hosts the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the Pacific Northwest's greatest cultural institutions. 

All of this comes together to create a community that is ideal in many ways. Ashland has it all, and now that the secret is out the only question is: How long will it be able to maintain its myriad charms?

One of the things that makes Ashland so special is its location. Situated at the southern end of the beautiful Rogue River Valley, the town is surrounded by hills and mountains blanketed with both evergreen and deciduous trees. In the fall, the leaves turn into fiery hues of orange, amber, and gold, and like most Oregonians, the locals have a very outdoorsy vibe. 

Ashland sits in a natural wonderland, and Lithia Park, the city's main greenspace, contains over five miles of walking trails where, along with the odd hiker, you're likely to encounter deer. The 2060 Road is a 28-mile loop closed to motor vehicles perfect for hiking and biking, and just a few miles east of town is the Grizzly Peak Trail, a 5.4-mile loop that offers outstanding views of Mt. Ashland, Emigrant Lake, and Mt. Shasta. Situated within striking distance of both the Kalamath and Rogue Rivers, Ashland is a terrific basecamp for whitewater rafting, and both streams also draw anglers chasing trophy salmon, steelhead, and trout. In addition, the local area is prime birdwatching territory, with over 30 locations where you can spy a variety of avian species that call southern Oregon home.

Ashland's mild, relatively sunny climate also makes it a great place for cultivating wine grapes. The town is home to seven wineries and tasting rooms, including Irvine & Roberts, Weisinger Family Winery, Longwalk Vineyard, and Grizzly Peak Winery,  where you can sample varieties such as pinot noir, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, and chardonnay. It should also come as no surprise that Ashland is a great beer town (this is Oregon after all), with local faves such as Caldera Brewery & Restaurant, Skout Taphouse & Provisions, and The Noble Fox Restaurant & Brewery. 

Ashland's excellent downtown is worth the trip alone, as it's packed with cool shops, galleries, and restaurants. For fans of browsing and page-flipping, try Treehouse Books, Bloomsbury Books, or the Ashland Books Exchange, which has been swapping and selling used tomes for nearly 50 years. Ashland also boasts some of the freshest and finest fare in the region. Mason's on Main does creative and affordable takes on American sandwiches, Osteria la Briccola specializes in Northern Italian fare, while tiny MÄS offers seasonal tasting menus of "Cascadia" cuisine by renowned chef Josh Dorcak, a James Beard Award finalist.

However, the real star of the show is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Running from late March through early October, OSF is dedicated to not just bringing Shakespeare's words to life, but to also producing other classics and contemporary plays in Ashland's ideal setting. The festival — which is actually a repertory company — has been in operation since 1935 and features up to 10 plays running in rotation on three stages, making it one of the region's premier annual artistic events.

Ashland is situated right off Interstate 5, just 15 miles from the California border. It makes a perfect stop on this West Coast road trip, as it's a four and a half hour drive from Portland, and about six and half hours by car from San Francisco. You can also fly into the nearby city of Medford, and then take a rideshare into town, or jump on a Greyhound-Trailways bus coming from the north or south. While you're in the area, shoot over to this national park that's home to the deepest lake in the United States.