Southern Oregon’s business center and the Jackson County seat, Medford is best known for the succulent pears grown in this agricultural oasis. Though it was miners who first came to the area after gold was discovered in 1852, it was farmers who stayed for the favorable growing conditions. Today, Medford is home to Harry and David, purveyors of gourmet fruit, and Jackson and Perkins, the world’s largest rose grower, where visitors can enjoy tours and shopping for “seconds” in their country village store.

In downtown Medford you’ll find a pedestrian-friendly shopping district with numerous restaurants, cobblestone alleyways, historic architecture and easy access to bridges and bike paths that lead away from the urban core.

Protected by mountains, the mild year-round climate and central location of Medford make it an excellent home base for enjoying the rich and diverse outdoor activities available in the Rogue River Valley. Take in views of giant sandstone-basaltic mesas with lava caps, the Rogue River, Siskiyou Mountains and the city of Medford from Table Rock trails just 10 miles northeast. Cross over Evans Creek on the restored Wimer covered bridge or head out to any of two state, one federal, ten county and 23 city parks in the area. Recreational opportunities abound with stocked streams for fishing, lakes for boating and forests for hunting.

Just a few miles west of Medford is historic Jacksonville, a restored, 19^th century city that is one of only eight cities in the United States named as a National Historic Landmark. Old-time trolley tours, shops, restaurants, the Jacksonville Museum of Southern Oregon History and the Britt Gardens and Music Festival are just a few of Jacksonville’s attractions.

Just south of Medford is Ashland, known around the world as home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Still retaining its small town character and charm, Ashland also supports the best tourist amenities in the area.