Surrounding Community

Eugene, the home of Gutenberg College, is located in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley. From here, students can travel easily to many points of interest in Oregon. The scenic Oregon coastline, the mountainous terrain along the McKenzie River, or the bountiful farmlands beside the Willamette River are within an hour's drive. Day trips can take students to Crater Lake in southern Oregon, Mount Hood in northern Oregon, Mount Bachelor and Willamette Pass ski resorts in the Cascade Mountains, the Columbia River gorge, Multnomah Falls, the Portland Rose Festival, or the renowned Ashland Shakespeare Festival.

The City of Eugene and its close environs provide their own cultural and recreational opportunities. Eugene's Hult Center, which features a 2,200 seat concourse, hosts national and international musical and performing artists. Each year the Eugene Bach Festival attracts an international audience. Three large malls offer traditional shopping experiences, while the Saturday Market and Fifth Street Market offer local artisans and good food, including freshly grown produce. Hendricks Park and Owen Rose Garden display world-class rhododendrons, azaleas, and roses. The outdoor enthusiast will find miles of running and hiking trails in addition to ninety-eight miles of paved bicycle paths that wind along the Willamette River and through numerous parks. Rafting, canoeing, and fishing areas abound in and around Eugene, and nearby reservoirs provide plentiful boating opportunities. The climate is mild year round, with average temperatures of 75º in the summer and 45º in the winter.