Ashland lies 15 miles north of the California border in Jackson County with a population of 20,430.  Located In the foothills of a snowcapped peak, surrounded by mountains, Ashland offers many recreation opportunities such as skiing Mt. Ashland, rafting the Rogue River, visiting Crater Lake National Park, and much more.

Ashland is home to one for the nation's best-known theatre festivals, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which brings thousands of visitors to the city every year. The festival has grown from a summer outdoor festival in the 1930s to a season that stretches from February to October, incorporating Shakespeare and non-Shakespearean plays in repertory at three theaters.  The Oregon Shakespeare Festival sells more tickets to more performances and plays than any other theater in the country. In a typical year, the festival sells more than 350,000 tickets and attracts about 100,000 tourists.

Also located in Ashland is Southern Oregon University, a public four-year university that offers programs in science and liberal arts. It has an enrollment of 4,800 students, and offers graduate programs in business, education, and the arts and sciences.

Ashland blends old world charm with new world excitement. Surrounded by gorgeous mountains, lazy creeks, and roaring rivers, this is a place where incredibly talented chefs prepare locally grown cuisine to pair with award winning local wines.  It's a place where high tech meets high touch.  Ashland offers you the space to remind yourself who you truly are.