When you hear “Shakespeare,” you might think of Stratford-upon-Avon in England, but not necessarily Ashland, California. Yet, Ashland, which is just a stone’s throw away from San Francisco and Portland, is world-famous for its annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) so there's really no reason to cross the pond to catch some fine Elizabeathan theater. And with its many fine B&Bs, even if you're not a fan of The Bard, you can still have a wonderful and cozy time in Ashland.


The OSF started as a summer outdoor festival in the 1930s and has now developed into a world-class theater season that lasts from February through early November. During the season, you can join the tens of thousands of theater goers watching everything from traditional Shakespeare shows to contemporary plays at multiple theaters. You're definitely guaranteed to get your share of entertainment Ashland-style.

Avid theatergoers who come with a hearty appetite can take advantage of a treasure trove of fine restaurants in downtown that cater to discerning taste buds. Just a few blocks away from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival theaters, the Amuse Restaurant offers Northwest/French cuisine prepared from organic, seasonal meat and produce with an excellent selection of Oregon and California wines. Sample their truffle-roasted game hen and charcoal-grilled Cedar River Farm ribeye or pork Pporterhouse. Reservations are recommended.

For dishes with a kick, visit the Thai Pepper satay bar for their lip-smacking grilled lamb, chicken, prawn, scallops and much more.

Or for more refined dining, go to the award-winning Alchemy Restaurant & Bar at the Winchester Inn for their signature dish of filet mignon cooked sous vide with a Rogue Creamery bleu cheese and caramelized shallots, compound butter and sauce perigueux.

Great food pairs well with great wine. Oenophiles, take this opportunity to tour the Oregon wine country and find out why this will be the “next” Napa Valley. Gain an insight into the history of the local wine industry and the art and science behind wine processing, coupled with a visit to vineyards and a sampling of their award-winning artisan wines. Guests enjoy exclusive wine club pricing when embarking on a tasting trip with Wine Hopper Tours.

If you prefer to spend your cash on finds instead of food, you can shop -- tax-free -- until you drop. Oregon has no sales tax, so all your purchases will automatically enjoy a defacto discount. Shopaholics, don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in your favorite pastime and browse through specialty shops, boutiques, premier shoe shops, and to find gourmet delights like hand-made organic chocolates and art galleries.

Even though Asland's shopping experience is "non-taking" you might need to unwind after a day of the credit-card Olympics. Soak away your stress and tension in a hydrotherapy bath at Blue Giraffe Spa, conveniently located in downtown. It includes a men’s section where the guys can relax with a detoxifying steam shower and deep tissue massage. Or head to the Lithia Springs Resort, a three-minute drive from downtown Ashland. Its healing, mineral-rich spring water helps cure skin diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis and sore muscles. 

Don’t miss out on the famous "Britt" summer music festival held each year in Jacksonville, 15 miles north of Ashland. This outdoor summer music event, thrown by the non-profit Britt Festivals organization, features world class artists in jazz, folk, country, pop, dance and classical music. The 2014 line up included the iconic Champagne Picnic and performances by Joan Baez, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Tommy Emmanuel, Storm Large and Jake Shimabukuro.

So why is Ashland a B&B Kinda Town? Click here to find out.