Whether it’s to celebrate new love or a lifetime of companionship, the best romantic getaways are the ones you actually take. Keeping it fun and easy is key. Add in beautiful peaks and forests, lots of great food, cozy digs, some outdoor fun and quiet time for two, and you’ve nailed it. With many possibilities that range from luxurious to low-key, and many friendly communities, it’s easy to find a fantastic experience in Southern Oregon that ticks all the boxes with your loved one. Here’s why Southern Oregon is an ideal habitat for lovebirds.
Warm Water and Wildflowers in Ashland
In Ashland the Lithia Springs Resort offers 38 guest rooms that feel like staying in a spa with wood and glass and privacy, all close to downtown. Thermal hot springs from deep within the earth get piped directly into your room’s soaking tub — though, in warmer months, you can relax in the outdoor saltwater pool too. For even more privacy, book a stay at the Ashland Creek Inn, which has just 10 suites, all with private entrances, as well as an in-house chef.
If you’re going out for dinner, don’t miss the intimate Peerless Restaurant & Bar in the city’s Railroad District for seasonal treats including oysters on the half-shell and Oregon rack of lamb. You can also stay next door at the Peerless Hotel, a six-room inn built in 1904 stuffed with Victorian flair.
This part of the state holds fantastic opportunities to get out and frolic among the wildflowers, too, from roughly March to June. Try the 2.8-mile Green Springs Mountain Loop Trail, which touches part of the famous Pacific Crest Trail and is often lined with irises and mariposa lilies.
For a night of arts and theatre, take in a show at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. From classic plays from the bard to contemporary short films, there’s something to enjoy for everyone. Check their website for a schedule of performances.
Romance in Red, White and Rosé
What’s better than a romantic getaway? A romantic getaway with wine, of course, and Southern Oregon has that covered.
The Bear Creek Wine Trail runs along the Interstate 5 corridor and includes stops at places like Pebblestone Cellars and DANCIN Vineyards. Hummingbird Estate in Central Point, also on the trail, lets guests stay overnight on the property inside an English cottage-style home built in 1926 that today holds five suites set on the winery’s 47 acres. Sit outside with cheese and charcuterie, a glass of red, or even one of several beers from 80 Beats Brewing that the winery carries on tap.
About 6 miles from the gateway to the Applegate Wine Trail in Jacksonville, the McCully House Inn bursts with charm and history. The home, built in 1860 by Jacksonville’s first doctor, remains Oregon’s oldest home to operate as an inn. Inside you’ll find a handful of accommodations like the Library Suite, which comes with an oversize, bubbling soaking tub and robes. Ask about the inn’s “Discover Oregon Wine Tour Package,” a self-driven tasting tour, or visit Oregon Wine Board or Rogue Valley Wine Country for information on well over 50 wineries and tasting rooms.
Chocolate, Cheese and a Lodge With River Views
The Lindsay Lodge, formerly known as the Applegate River Lodge, welcomed new owners in late 2022 and is going through some upgrades and renovations. Meanwhile, all of the rooms have spa tubs and views over the Applegate River. Book the Vineyard Suite, a favorite with honeymooners for its privacy. In February 2023 the restaurant reopens with a new menu.
Farther north in Grants Pass, the Lodge at Riverside has 33 guest rooms, each packed with spa products and views over the Rogue River from private balconies that are also perfect for catching up. Wine and cheese tastings are offered nightly. On your way to the property, swing by Lillie Belle Farms in Central Point for organic, fair-trade chocolate that’s sure to boost the mood of any relationship. Next door to the chocolatier, you’ll find two more must-stops: the Coquette Bakery with decadently lacquered kouign-amann (butter cake) pastries, and Rogue Creamery, famous for its blue cheeses, including one that won a prestigious global award in 2022. Pack yourself a picnic and head north to the Upper Table Rock Trail for a 3.2-mile stroll to a flower-flecked plateau offering heart-pounding views of the valley below.
For dinner The Twisted Cork in Grants Pass does delicious flatbreads, seafood salads and the fresh catch of the day, which comes encrusted in macadamia nuts with a coconut-chile-ginger sauce. The outdoor seating at the River’s Edge Restaurant maxes out on the romantic scale with a deck that reaches out over the Rogue River below.
