There are certain moments in Oregon that feel almost unreal. The first warm evening on the coast. The smell of pine after rain in the Cascades. Sunlight breaking through vineyards in wine country. And then there’s lavender season. Every summer, parts of Oregon...
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is a diverse region known for its stunning landscapes, outdoor recreation, and cultural attractions. Home to the Rogue River, the area is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and fishing. The region also boasts Crater Lake National Park, one of the most stunning natural wonders in the United States. Southern Oregon is known for its award-winning wines and is home to many wineries and vineyards. The area’s cultural attractions include the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Britt Music Festival, and the Ashland Independent Film Festival, making Southern Oregon a great place to visit for both outdoor and cultural experiences.
This Southern Oregon Resort Lets You Soak in Mineral Springs Without Even Leaving Your Room
Just outside Ashland, where vineyards roll across the hills and the mountains rise in the distance, there’s a place where time seems to slow down. The world gets quieter here. Phones get forgotten. Stress starts to feel like a thing that belongs to someone else....
This Tiny Oregon Gold Rush Town Might Be The Most Charming Getaway In The State
There are places in Oregon that feel beautiful, and then there are places that feel like stepping into another time entirely. Jacksonville is one of those places. Tucked into the rolling hills of Southern Oregon just outside Medford, Jacksonville somehow manages to...
This Grateful Dead-Vibe Pizzeria In Southern Oregon Is A Psychedelic Slice Of Heaven
There’s something magical about stumbling onto a restaurant that feels less like a place to eat and more like an experience. The kind of spot where the walls are packed with personality, the music instantly relaxes you, and the smell of fresh pizza drifting through...
The 42 Best Oregon Mom & Pop Restaurants to Eat At in 2026
We're going a bit out on a limb here at That Oregon Life. This story began as a sort of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" compilation, but after a giant list of my own and a slew of recommendations from friends all over the state, we realized that wasn't going to work....
This Hidden Oregon Trail Marks the Only WWII Bombing on the U.S. Mainland
There are places in Oregon where history whispers instead of shouts. No crowds. No big signs demanding your attention. Just a narrow trail winding through towering trees, the soft hush of wind through redwoods, and the quiet understanding that something extraordinary...
This Oregon ADA Trail Lets You Walk or Wheel Among Towering Redwood Trees
There’s something almost surreal about standing beneath a redwood tree. The scale doesn’t quite make sense at first. You look up, and up, and somehow still can’t find the top. The air feels cooler. The light turns soft and green. And for a moment, everything else...
This Tiny Sandwich Shop In Oregon Has Lines Out The Door And Locals Happily Wait Anyway
The line stretches out the door, people stand shoulder to shoulder, and somehow… nobody seems bothered by it. That’s usually the first sign you’ve found somewhere worth your time. In Medford, that place is Luigi's Italian Sandwiches — a no-frills sandwich shop that’s...
This Epic Oregon Drive-Thru Safari Lets You See Lions, Rhinos, And Giraffes Without Ever Leaving Your Car
There aren’t many places in the United States where you can watch a giraffe stroll past your windshield or hear a lion roar just a few yards away from your car. But in Southern Oregon, that experience is surprisingly real. Damara Zebra roam the grassy hills of...
Some of Oregon’s Most Crave-Worthy Fish and Chips Are Hiding in This Tiny Harbor Town
There are places along the Oregon Coast that don’t just feed you — they stay with you. The kind of places where the windows fog up from the fryer, where rain taps lightly on the glass, where the scent of fresh seafood wraps around you the second you open the door. The...
Are You Afraid of the Dark? This Oregon Retreat Locks You in Total Darkness. For Days. On Purpose.
Somewhere in Southern Oregon, tucked away near the Cascade–Siskiyou Wilderness, not far from Klamath Falls, there’s a place where the lights don’t just go out: they never come on. No windows.No screens.No glow from your phone.Not even the faint outline of your own...
Nearly a Century Later, Beckie’s Café Still Serves Crater Lake’s Best Pie Since 1926
Tucked away in the lush forests of southern Oregon, just off Highway 62 on the road to Crater Lake National Park, sits one of Oregon’s most beloved hidden gems: Beckie’s Café. This rustic log cabin restaurant has been welcoming hungry travelers since 1926, and nearly...











