Located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is the second largest city in Oregon. It is also a region defined by its deep roots in a Bohemian past. The hometown of hippie icon Ken Kesey, the city has maintained its artsy heritage as it still today espouses a vibe of peace, love and harmony. The one thing you will never find a shortage of in Eugene is art. From music, to painting, to pottery, craftsmanship and funkiness tend to be big themes in this city. What else is Eugene known for…Running of course. Birthplace of legend Steve Prefontaine, the city in some ways gave birth to the sport of jogging. The Prefontaine Classic held at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field is a major draw for runners from all over the country. The University itself is certainly no slouch when it comes to running—there’s a reason Eugene is known as the track & field city.
The Ducks are most definitely a huge part of the city’s culture. Not only does the school boast one of the most historic tracks in the country with Hayward Field (the venue has played host to 6 US Championships), they also have one of the Pac 12’s best football teams. In 2014, the school saw its first Heisman winner in Marcus Mariota (now of Tennessee Titans fame). Beyond just sports, the University has an acclaimed academic legacy as well, having been accredited as one of America’s leading research institutions.
A premiere Oregon “college town,” Eugene has plenty by way of food and drink. Fancying themselves something of the state’s beer capital, breweries and bars abound in Eugene. Not to mention, featured in Bon Appetit magazine, the city is something of a not-to-be-ignored upstart when it comes to the latest food trends.
Ask any native to describe the weather, and odds are, the word rain will come up once or twice. Fairly wet, yet mild, there is certainly no shortage of flora and fauna. (They are famous for their rhododendrons.)
Even though it is a bustling college city, Eugene also has plenty for the avid outdoors person. While on river trails and gorgeous mountain hikes, you might run into some interesting indigenous animals, to include: black bear and wolves.
Winter is mild, cool, and wet. It isn't the best time to visit.
Spring is mild. May and June are nice as the weather dries and daily highs reach around 70 degrees. If visiting in May, be sure to plan around University of Oregon graduation week.
Eugene is sunny and beautiful during the summer. It is the dry season and temps hit the lower-80s. Despite the great weather, summers can be a little slow due to students leaving campus for break.
Fall can get very busy. The weather is decent through October and the weekends can fill with excitement over the Oregon Ducks football games.