Medford

Understand

Medford is a city in, and county seat of, Jackson County, Oregon, United States. In 2017, the city had a population of about 82,000, with about 218,000 in the metropolitan area, making the Medford MSA the fourth largest metro area in Oregon. The city was named in 1883 by David Loring, civil engineer and right-of-way agent for the Oregon and California Railroad, after Medford, Massachusetts, which was near Loring’s home town of Concord, Massachusetts. Medford is near the middle ford of Bear Creek.

Climate

At 1,382 feet above sea level, Medford is protected by surrounding mountains, and the area is favored with a mild climate. Annual average rainfall is 18-20 inches (45-50 cm), about the same as San Francisco. The seasons are clearly defined, temperatures are generally mild overall, and yearly snowfall is three to four inches on the valley floor. The median winter temperature is 36 °F (2 °C). Summers are warm with a median temperature of 94 °F (34 °C) and an average of 15 days over 100 °F (38 °C). Overnight lows in the summer average around 59 °F (15 °C), with higher overnight lows of around 66 °F (19 °C) on some hotter days. Humidity is low. Because of the layout of surrounding mountains, Medford's climate is more similar to that of nearby northern California than the rest of Oregon: relatively dry, with hotter summers and more mild winters.

Tourist information Travel Medford website

Getting there

By plane

The 1 Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport ((MFR IATA)), 1000 Terminal Loop Pkwy. is the major airport for commercial flights serving Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and the surrounding Rogue Valley in southern Oregon and the Siskiyous in northern California. The airport is 3 miles (4.8km) north of downtown off of I-5 at Exit #30 (Crater Lake Hwy (SR-62)) & #33 (E Pine St/Biddle Rd). The following airlines serve Medford (some distant cities may be seasonal and/or weekly):

American Airlines and Skywest dba American Eagle: Phoenix Sky Harbor. (Flights from Portland and Seattle are operated by Alaska Airlines as a codeshare partner). Alaska Airlines: (Gates 1 & 3) (Portland, Seattle-Tacoma, Los Angeles and San Diego) Allegiant': (Las Vegas and Santa Ana, CA) Delta Connection: (Gate 4) (Salt Lake City & Seattle-Tacoma) United Airlines & Skywest dba United Express: (Gate 5) (Denver and San Francisco) There are no non-stop international flights offered into southern Oregon. Additional connections (for domestic & international flights) are made in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City depending on the airlines you choose. To travel from the airport to downtown:

A taxi from the airport will cost around $17+ 15% tip. Click here for a list of available taxi, shuttle and car rental companies at the airport. The RVTD (local city bus) line #61 stops hourly at the airport, and ends downtown at the main RVTD terminal. Make sure you get on the bus heading to Medford, and not RCC/Table Rock. This #61 bus schedule is available on the RVTD website here. Southwest Point also make a stop at the airport on it way to Ashland via downtown Medford in one direction and outbound towards Klamath Falls and Brookings on two routes. See schedules.

By bus The central bus station is at the 2 Rogue Valley Transit District (RVTD) Front St Station in downtown for Greyhound, Oregon Point and RVTD (local buses). The station is on 200-220 S Front St be

Getting around

Medford's bus system, run by Rogue Valley Transit District (RVTD), transports passengers all around the city, and as far as Central Point, White City, Phoenix, Jacksonville, Talent and Ashland with aspirations to add more. It is relatively easy to walk all of downtown, as it is not very big. A lengthy bike path, the Bear Creek Greenway, runs along Bear Creek in a north-south direction from Ashland (about a dozen miles south of Medford) through the city and up to the end of Central Point (the northern district of Medford). This scenic route is very level, and runs near several important parts of town, such as the mall, downtown, and commercial districts near both freeway interchanges. Lyft and Uber ride hailing services operate in the city.

See

The enormous malevolent Blackbird statue at 1810 W. Main Street. Medford is the regional hub for several smaller surrounding towns, including theater destination Ashland and historic goldrush-era Jacksonville. Similar historic landmarks include several early-twentieth-century buildings downtown, as well as numerous historical farms and Victorian homes in the area.

Parks

1 Bear Creek Park, 1520 Siskiyou Blvd, ☏ +1 541-774-2400. A sprawling area near the southern end of town, next to the regional bike path, I-5 freeway, and the creek that gives its name. The park features an extensive playground, numerous picnic tables and barbecue areas, several tennis courts, an amphitheater, several small gardens, a skating and bike park, and plenty of rolling grass areas. It's a very popular place for families; during the summer, don't miss the community's free movie nights. Fichtner-Mainwaring Park. A large collection of soccer fields, play equipment, and tennis courts near Jefferson Elementary off of Stewart Ave on the south side of town. 2 Roxy Ann Peak / Prescott Park. An area surrounding the peak of the same name among the foothills in eastern Medford. While developments have slowly encroaches on its borders, the area remains popular for casual hiking and features great views of the valley. Rogue River and Umpqua National Forest. Surrounds a significant part of the valley to the north and south. A number of mountain lakes, as well as excellent campgrounds and picnic areas. Crater Lake National Park contains an excellent network of trails (also great for winter cross-country skiing), and is a very popular destination. 3 TouVelle State Recreation Site, ☏ +1 541-826-2257. Parking $5/day. (updated May 2019)

Do

Southern Oregon, and Oregon in general, are excellent destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Medford, as the hub of southern Oregon and home to some of the mildest weather in the state, is a popular launching point for many outdoor activities. The primary terrain is mountainous, with a large and mild valley where the city is located.

Rafting on the Rogue and Upper Klamath Rivers. Check out Momentum River Expeditions, Noahs Rafting, and Northwest Rafting Company for 1/2-day, one-day, and multi-day trips. Fish for salmon in the Rogue River and tributaries Go on the Haunted Brothels and Opium Dens of Medford walking tour. Meets noon Saturdays at Sixth and Central. Tour the Harry & David plant. Sample regional wineries Bike the Rogue Valley along the Bear Creek Greenway Hike the surrounding mountains and foothills (the Pacific Crest Trail skirts the south and eastern edges of the valley) Ski at Mt. Ashland, the region's primary winter resort Tour historical landmarks and tours through the Southern Oregon Historical Society Ride an extensive and detailed miniature train line at the local Railr