ALONG COMES MARY

In my first of a series of articles about my wonderful press trip with The International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) earlier this month, I thought I would introduce you to the adorable, quaint & tight-knit town of Jacksonville, Oregon, located just about 30 miles out of California. Within this intimate town of under 2500 residents lays a very rich history of beautiful architecture, homes dating back to the 1800’s & a cemetery still in operation, after nearly 150 years. Read on to discover just a few of the recommendations I took away for those looking to get away to Southern Oregon, & stay tuned to learn more about Oregon.

STAY

With the beautiful, cozy ‘Bed & Breakfast’ style rooms above their 5 star dining restaurant on California Street, as well as the spacious, apartment-like cottages available around the corner, it is easy to see why The Jacksonville Inn has been host to such notable names as President George H. W. Bush, President George W. and Laura Bush (& 75 secret service men!),& (then-)Senator Barack Obama. With so much to explore right outside your door, you can easily walk their tree lined avenues.

EAT

While lodging at The Jacksonville Inn, it might be easy to not want to leave as you have The Inn’s restaurant right outside your door. With 5 different menus that change & get enhanced according to the season & availability, The Jacksonville Inn works hard to ensure most of your meal is coming from 50-100 miles away, making it nearly a “farm to fork” experience. Famous for such dishes as their prime rib, cooked for 67 hours & seasoned with their own dry rub, or the poached salmon . Manager, Pantone, likes to call The Jacksonville Inn’s food, “Pacific Fusion”, a term I had yet to hear, but, simply put: It is a great cuisine we all should inform ourselves on!

If it’s some of the darkest, boldest, smooth coffee you are in search of, you are in luck. Look no further than Good Bean Coffee on Oregon Street. While they have the usual “coffee-house line-up” besides java like tea’s & smoothies (try the apricot-pear, just sayin’), their coffee, which is roasted by the company themselves, is perfection & the vibe inside is just what you expect in a small town coffee-house. I can just imagine they have their wonderful ‘regulars’ a la Central Perk or Cafe Nervosa.

EXPLORE

Start your morning out with a walk & tour through Oregon’s oldest cemetery, The Jacksonville Historic Cemetary. With 6500 souls resting & 7 different sections, you will be in luck if you get a chance to take a tour & chat with Dirk from “Friends of the Jacksonville Cemetary”. Dirk spent the early hours with IFWTWA educating us about some of those who rest within these 30 acres. From the last man to be hung in the city to Peter Britt & his family (a very wealthy, high society family), this is a tranquil resting place where I felt a fierce calm. Many locals take advantage of these grounds to walk the dog, jog & just be.

Fun fact: Each October, they hold the annual “Meet the Pioneers” event where actors become some of those resting at the cemetery, giving interested town folks & kids looking for a bit of a scare to learn about those in residence!

SHOP

Down Jacksonville’s main drag of California Street, you will find an awesome array of shops to get your fill in! My favorite had to be Farmhouse Treasures. Their selection of gorgeous, reasonably priced jewelry was spot on. I bought a pair of hoop earrings & a charm necklace at a total under $20. Added bonus? The owner also makes irresistible chocolate fudge that was much less dense than any other fudge treats I have had; this recipe starts out the traditional dense texture, then is soft as you bite to the middle. If she could ship it, I would buy it.

LISTEN

One of the highlights in Jacksonville for me was a stop to check out the exquisite Britt Pavillion. A stunning, 2200 capacity outdoor venue that holds classical performances & their famous Britt Festival, each year. While this season is wrapping up shortly (no!!), this venue brought me back to SO many priceless memories I have from spending summers quite awhile back at Solvang’s outdoor theatre. The Pavillion is absolute magic, & easy to see why artists like Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Chris Issac & Weird Al flock to perform under the stars to an audience on the grass enjoying a picnic. (reserved bench seating is also available!)

DING DING  DING WENT THE TROLLEY….

I got to see all of Jacksonville’s finest by way of their town trolley. What is more fun than looking out onto the city whizzing by you?! I felt like a kid again. Our tour guide was excellent & managed to squeeze so much information about the city, even their neighborhoods, in an hour tour.

I will even tell you a secret: While on this amazing day outing, I even text my boyfriend that should we have kids, let’s make it a goal to TRAVEL to places like this. It is that charming of a city, & an especially easy ride for those in Northern California.

To learn more about Jacksonville, visit the Chamber of Commerce HERE.

(*Disclosure: I attended a press trip with IFWTWA to Jacksonville, Oregon, on behalf of this feature. All opinions are my own.)