Creswell Bakery Can’t-Miss Spots in Small Towns Eugene serves as the perfect base camp for spending time in some of the area’s smaller communities, from historic farm towns to coastal villages. Here’s what not to miss. WILLAMETTE VALLEY Venture to Junction City, 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Eugene, to the Camas Country Mill bakery and farmhouse store, where visitors can take home pastries and locally grown heritage grains. Check into Inn at Diamond Woods, which offers relaxing lodging on a golf course near Eugene’s airport. Enjoy a glass of Gamay Noir at the 30-acre (12-ha) Walnut Ridge Vineyard, overlooking the foothills of the Coast Range. Springfield’s walkable Main Street is worth checking out. Take a selfie with Homer on the mural of “The Simpsons” after fueling up with a healthy grain and veggie bowl at Lovely, an all-day cafe. Don’t miss a stop at The Monkey’s Paw for a tiki drink. In Veneta, 10 miles (16 km) west of Eugene, Our Daily Bread serves traditional breakfasts and monthly wine-pairing dinners in a refurbished historic church. Heading south from Eugene, you’ll find family-owned Creswell Bakery, specializing in homemade bread and baked goods for breakfast and lunch. Take a roasted- vegetable hand pie or a huge sticky bun to picnic at popular Harry Holt Memorial Park, which also shows outdoor movies in summer. OREGON COAST Florence, just 60 miles (97 km) west of Eugene, captivates with ocean views and delicious restaurants like Lovejoy’s Tearoom for British tea and meals or The Hukilau, which serves creative sushi rolls and Hawaiian specialties. Rent a board or take a sandboarding lesson on 200 acres (81 ha) of dunes at Sand Master Park. After exploring the sand dunes, rest at the Lighthouse Inn, family owned since 1938 and just a block from Historic Old Town Florence. CASCADES In the McKenzie River region, you’ll find scented delights at the McKenzie River Lavender farm. Just 30 miles (48 km) west of Eugene in Blue River, the McKenzie River Mountain Resort offers a serene place to unwind. Farther south in Oakridge, be sure to hit up The 3 Legged Crane brewery for a pint of cask-conditioned ale after shredding the mountain bike trails with Trans Cascadia Excursions. McKenzie River Lavender Lovejoy’s Tearoom Travel Lane County | EugeneCascadesCoast.org | 541.484.5307 35 FOOD & DRINK CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: MELANIE GRIFFIN (2); TURELL GROUP
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