'''Eugene''' [http://www.eugene-or.gov/] (pop. ~140,000) is a city in Oregon at the southern end of the Willamette Valley that is best known for being the home of the University of Oregon.

Understand

Citizens of Eugene are environmentally aware people who love their coffee as well as their microbrew. Residents range from arch-conservative republicans to militant anarchists who were responsible for the WTO riots in Seattle. However, overall the population is typical Pacific Northwest, i.e., leaning toward a greater degree of social responsibility, respect for nature, and diminished consumerism. Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, aka "The Fighting Ducks." Eugene was the second home to the rock'n'roll band The Grateful Dead, thus the reason some people see this place as a "hippie Mecca." Saturday Market [http://www.eugenesaturdaymarket.org/] has been continuously in operation since 1970, rain or shine and claims to be the oldest open-air market of its type in the US.

Get in

By air

'''Eugene Airport''' (EUG), also known as '''Mahlon Sweet Field''', handles flights from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Major carriers include United Express, America West Express, Horizon Air and Skywest. It's a few miles out of town, and the public bus does not service it, so you'll have to hire a cab, shuttle, or rent a car.

By train

'''Amtrak''' serves Eugene with the Cascade service and operate daily between Eugene, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver B.C. These Euro-style cars are unique to the pacific northwest rail corridor. The Coast Startlight services Eugene and other West Coast cities on its route from Southern California to Seattle. Both trains accommodate wheelchairs and bicycles. Trains originating from California are notoriously unreliable, commonly several hours late. There is a northbound train that originates in Eugene, the "Cascades" train that is typically much more reliable.

By car

Eugene is a bit over 1 hour from Florence, the closest point on the Pacific Coast. It is a two-hour drive south from Portland, and approximately a 5-hour drive south from Seattle. Traveling north from the California Bay Area takes about nine hours.

By Bus

'''Greyhound''' has a fully staffed bus station downtown, close to the Train station and to the LTD (Lane Transit District) local buses. Buses run north/south along I-5, and east.

Get around

  • '''Bike''' - Eugene has an excellent system of bike routes [http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=541&qid=08941353&mode=2], bike rentals are available only a few blocks from both the Greyhound and the Amtrak. Eugene is known nationwide for its bike friendly streets, and its bike paths that allow you to ride along rivers, mountain trails and through covered bridges.
  • Take the Lane Transit District [http://www.ltd.org/] (LTD) bus, $1.50 one-way or $3.00 for an all-day pass. Buses tend to run every half-hour. Extended LTD bus routes run east and west into more rural sections of Lane County.
  • See

  • Walk along 13th Street to the University.
  • Go to the 5th Street '''Public Market'''.
  • Go to the '''Saturday Market''' [http://www.eugenesaturdaymarket.org/] and '''Farmers Market''': 8th and Oak every Saturday April 2 through Nov. 12, rain or shine, 10 am - 5 pm
  • Go on the''' First''' [http://www.lanearts.org/communityarts/firstfriday/] or '''Last Friday Artwalk''' [http://www.arttrekinc.com/lastfridayartwalk/].
  • See a show at the [http://www.wowhall.org/ WOW Hall], ask about work trade opportunities between 3:00 and 6:00 PM Monday through Friday--maybe you'll get to see the show for free!
  • Go to the '''Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art''' [http://jsma.uoregon.edu/] at the University of Oregon.
  • Go to the '''Museum of Natural and Cultural History''' [http://natural-history.uoregon.edu/].
  • Do

  • Climb '''Spencer's Butte''' (the long way).
  • Climb or drive up '''Skinner's Butte'''. If the weather is nice go rock climbing at the basalt columns on the butte (or at the climbing gym nearby).
  • Rent bikes and bike the entire river trail. Swim and picnic down by the '''Autzen foot bridge'''.
  • '''Oregon Country Fair''' [http://oregoncountryfair.org/] (always the second weekend in July) is the biggest "hippie" gathering. Tons of great food, great hand made products to buy, "great" music and a lot of "fun".
  • The '''Eugene Celebration''' (2nd weekend in September)
  • Eugene offers many events for the sports fan, including University of Oregon sports and Eugene emeralds baseball.
  • Visit local area wineries and tasting rooms.
  • See the''' Oregon Bach Festival''' [http://bachfest.uoregon.edu/], held late June through mid-July.
  • '''Eugene Area Parks''' [http://eugeneareaparks.com] Guide to Eugene and Springfield Area parks features all the best parks in the area with descriptions, interactive maps, lots of images and 360 degree panoramas.
  • Check out a show at the '''Hult Center for the Performing Arts''' [http://www.hultcenter.org/]
  • '''Listen to the oldest public radio station on the West Coast. KRVM 91.9 Real Variety in Music'''.
  • Learn

  • '''University of Oregon''', [http://www.uoregon.edu/]
  • '''Lane Community College''', [http://www.lanecc.edu/]
  • '''Eugene Glass School''', [http://www.eugeneglassschool.org/]
  • '''Lost Valley Educational Center''', [http://www.lostvalley.org/]
  • '''Wellsprings Friends School'''
  • At '''Center for Appropriate Transport''' learn about sustainable transport, cargo bikes, frame building, and bicycle repair. [http://www.catoregon.org/]
  • '''Northwest Christian University'''
  • Buy

  • ''' Valley River Center''', 293 Valley River Center, [http://www.valleyrivercenter.com/]. It is the biggest shopping center in the Eugene area with 2 main department stores, Macy's and JC Penny. Also, a Gottschalks and a Regal Cinemas are currently being built. The mall also has many smaller stores with apparel, sporting goods, books, electronics, food and accessories.
  • ''' Gateway Mall''', 3000 Gateway Street, Springfield, [http://www.gatewaymall.com/html/Mallinfo.asp]. Although Gateway Mall is located in Springfield, it is very close to a lot of Eugene's student housing. This mall has not only a Sears, a Target, Kohl's, and two movie theaters. The Cinemark 17 theater shows newer movies at regular price and the Movies 12 theater shows a little older movies for only $1.50. This is a great/inexpensive date idea if you live in the area. There are also a few smaller stores and beauty salons located within the mall.
  • Eat

  • Bruno's Chef's Kitchen. 443 Hilyard St.. idden behind the Dairy Mart. 41-687-2433. ttp://www.brunoschefskitchen.com/. 25-$30 main course. A small, personal restaurant; Bruno changes the menu weekly, featuring local & seasonal ingredients. This is considered by many to be the best restaurant in Eugene, despite it's obscure location and quaint size.
  • Papa's Soul Food Kitchen BBQ. 00 Blair Blvd. 41-342-7500. ttp://local.yahoo.com/details?id=32746594. Eugene's soul food restaurant, sometimes offering live music.
  • Prince Pucklers Ice Cream. 605 East 19th Ave. ear University of Oregon campus. 41-344-4418. ttp://local.yahoo.com/details?id=22011597. Wide variety of homemade ice cream
  • World-class desserts at '''Sweet Life''' 755 Monroe St (541-683-5696)
  • Real NY Style Pizza at '''Mezza Luna Pizzeria''' 933 Pearl Street (541-684-8900) & Now Open at the new Crescent Village off of Crescent and Shadow. Near Costco off of Coburg RD
  • Innovative gourmet vegetarian/vegan pizza available at the '''Pizza Research Institute''' 1328 Lawrence Street (541-343-1307)
  • Fresh and local breakfast, lunch and dinner at Eugene landmark '''Cornucopia''' 295 W 17th Ave (541 485-2300)
  • Lunch or dinner at '''Marche Restaurant''' in the 5th Street Public Market (296 E 5th, 541-342-3612)
  • Have breakfast at the '''Keystone Cafe''' (395 W 5th Ave, 342-2075), '''Brail's''' (1689 Willamette St, 541-343-1542), or '''Morning Glory''' (450 Willamette St, 541-687-0709)
  • Have lunch at one of seven '''Burrito Amigos''' locations. Inexpensive, locally owned, the best burrito and taco chain in the city. [http://www.burritoboy.com/].
  • '''Mazzi's''', located in South Eugene off of East Amazon Rd, is the best Italian food in town. Prices are reasonable considering the foods quality, a typical dish is $12-18. Outstanding wine selection as well.
  • Drink

  • Drink beer at the '''High Street Brewery & Cafe''', 1243 High St, 345-4905.
  • Drink coffee at '''Allann Brothers''' The one by Humble Bagel or by The Jail.
  • Drink 40s in Bethel
  • Drink martinis or single-malt Scotch at '''Adam_fs Place''' (30 E Broadway, 541-344-6948)
  • Wineries

    The wineries of the Willamette Valley pride themselves in offering a relaxing and inviting experience for guests from downtown Eugene tasting rooms to vast countryside vineyards.
  • Iris Vineyard: Specializes in producing small quantities of quality, hand-crafted Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Iris Hill has been dedicated to growing high quality fruit through sustainable viticultural practices.
  • King Estate: The 1,033 acre certified organic Estate includes 250 acres of certified vineyards, grapevine grafting and propogation, nursery, orchards and garden. A visitor center and market place are open to the public.
  • The Oregon Wine Warehouse: Tour Oregon's wine country in Downtown Eugene. Offering wine from over 150 Oregon wineries, wine tasting flights, food and more. Shipping is available nationwide.
  • Oregon Wine Tours by Sunshine Limo Service and Wine Tours: http://www.sunshinelimoservice.com/winetours.html Local tour operator specializing in Willamette Valley wine tours. A safe way to enjoy wine tasting in comfort and style.
  • For more information, check out the area's <listing name="Winery and Vineyard Guide" url="http://www.visitlanecounty.org/listings/index.cfm?action=showSub&catID=21&subcatID=158&startrange=All&endrange=All&substart=M&subend=S¬ify=1" ></listing>

    Sleep

  • '''Courtesy Inn Eugene''', 345 West 6th Ave, ''+1 888'' 259-8481, Fax: ''+1 541'' 342-6507, [http://www.courtesyinneugene.com].
  • Downtown Motel. 61 West 7th Avenue. ttp://downtownmotel.com/. inexpensive, clean motel in the middle of downtown.

  • The '''Eugene Hotel''', whose large sign is a prominent feature of Eugene's skyline, is actually a retirement community. If you try to get a room there they will just laugh at you.
  • '''Eugene International Hostel''', 2352 Willamette Street, ''+1 541'' 349-0589, [http://eugenehostel.com]. Vegetarian kitchen, seasonal organic garden, dormitory style rooms, free Internet and guest phone.
  • '''Eugene Whiteaker Hostel''', 970 West Third Avenue, ''+1 541'' 343-3335, [http://www.eugenewhiteakerhostel.com].
  • '''Phoenix Inn Suites''', 850 Franklin Blvd, Tel: ''+1 541'' 344-0001. [http://www.phoenixinns.com/hotels/eugene/index.htm]. All suite accommodations with complimentary breakfast buffet, high speed internet, and 24 hr. business center
  • University Inn & Suites - Eugene, OR. 857 Franklin Blvd. 541) 342-4804. ttp://www.eugeneuniversityinn.com. Located near the University of Oregon.

  • '''Valley River Inn''', 1000 Valley River Way, Reservations: ''+1 800'' 543-8266, Phone" ''+1 541'' 743-1000, [http://www.valleyriverinn.com]. A resort-style hotel and conference center, located along the quiet banks of the Willamette River. Open since 1973.
  • '''Walnut Street Co-Op''', 1680 Walnut Street, ''+1 541'' 484-1156, [www.icetree.com/walnut] Walnut St Co-Op is a social change oriented cooperative household. The house is a century-old duplex in the "Craftsmen" style. In addition to the nine bedrooms, there are two kitchens, two living rooms, 4+ bathrooms, and a sunny shared office space. One garage is for bicycles and garden storage; the other is a workshop and foosball arena.
  • Get out

    Eugene is two hours from the Cascade Mountains (good skiing at '''Mt. Bachelor'''), and a little over an hour from some of the most beautiful coastline on the Pacific shore.

  • Day trip to the coast. Eat at '''Mo's''' in Florence, take a hike en route at Kentucky Falls and hit the '''Hobbit trail''' just north of Florence.
  • The '''McKenzie River''' corridor (fly fishing, rafting)
  • '''Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden'''
  • '''Mt. Pisgah Arboretum'''
  • Bike paths along the '''Willamette River''' [http://eugeneareaparks.com/eugene/willamette/river_bike_trail.php].
  • '''Cape Perpetua Interpretive Nature Center''' (on coast north of Yachats)
  • '''McCredie Hot Springs''' on the right just past mile-marker 45 on highway 58.
  • '''Blair Lake''' and '''Meditation Pool''' (Wall Creek), take highway 58 to Oakridge, left on Union St, right on 1st, ten miles or so to a left turn on Forest Service Road 1934. Meditation Pool is on your left after about 3/4 mile (trailhead, about 1/3 mile walk to the pool), Blair lake is all the way at the top. Be sure to detour near the top when you see a road going off to the left marked by a trail marker (picture of two people hiking) for a spectacular view. Blair lake has campsites and hiking, Meditation Pool is a warm spring.