Between Eugene And California's Border Is A Pacific Northwest City With Famous Cheese, Family Fun, And Wine

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) region, which consists primarily of Washington and Oregon, with portions of Idaho and British Columbia generally included, is characterized by rugged mountain ranges, wild and scenic waterways, and diverse ecosystems. The seemingly endless travel destinations are often on top of many wish lists, and Oregon's nearly 100,000 square miles of landscape is no exception. The Beaver State's sunny southern region is chock full of worthy travel treasures, including Central Point, a city where family activities, well-known cheese, and local wine reign supreme.

Central Point, a city of just under 20,000 people, lies in the stunning Rogue Valley, in Jackson County, about 162 miles south of Eugene and 35 miles north of the California border. The city is framed by the Cascade and Siskiyou Mountain ranges with the Table Rocks, flat-topped volcanic mesas formed by geological activity several million years ago, just a few miles away, making for scenic vistas. Central Point was incorporated in 1889 and was named by settler Isaac Constant because it served as the central point between two key roadways, according to Oregon Encyclopedia. The agriculturally rich lands are well known for growing fruit, including apples, pears, and wine grapes.

Within the valley is the Rogue Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), which is home to many vineyards and tasting rooms. They're a major attraction for those venturing to Southern Oregon or passing through on a road trip. You can pair that wine with the tastes of locally made cheese from a historic creamery. Central Point has other family-centered fun too, making for well-rounded and worthy stopover in Southern Oregon. 

Central Point's famous cheese is found at the Rogue Creamery, which produces between 12 and 15 hard cheese varietals, most notably blue cheese. The Rogue River Blue was named best cheese at the World Cheese Awards in 2019 in Italy, among others. The organic cheese is uniquely aged between nine and 11 months and wrapped in grape leaves soaked in pear-flavored spirits. Several other blue cheese and cheddars have also earned recognition. You can visit the cheese shop daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoy a grilled cheese for lunch while sipping on local beverages. Every April, the Oregon Cheese Festival takes place in Central Point, honoring fromage from the state; it even includes a four-course Cheesemaker's Dinner. 

In downtown Central Point, adjacent to the creamery, is the Ryan Rose Wine tasting room. It's open Thursday through Sunday and offers rotating tasting flights. You can enhance your experience with a charcuterie box made from local meat and cheese options and sit inside or out. Meanwhile, Hummingbird Estate is a 47-acre property with a historic 1926 estate building. It produces an array of wine varietals, which you can sample at its tasting room, open daily from noon to 7 p.m.

The family- and dog-friendly Rellik Winery offers tasting flights, a pizza and panini food menu, and an alpaca and llama farm on its 15-acre property. The winery has won many awards, and you can even stay at the Rellik House: a bed and breakfast with a pool, firepit, and barbecue. It's about a mile away from a historic wine country gem and one of America's coolest towns, Jacksonville, which is also home to one of the most charming main streets in the PNW.

For more family fun in Central Point, head to the 12,000-square-foot Crater Rock Museum to view an expansive collection of gems, minerals, rocks, and fossils and pick up souvenirs from the on-site gift shop. The hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It offers special rates for families of four, and admission for children under five is free. The second Saturday of each month is Kids Day, when all kids under 17 are admitted free. The day includes scavenger hunts, a rock yard for collecting stones, and discounted merchandise.

The Rogue Valley Family Fun Center is a large amusement park dedicated to family entertainment featuring go-karts, bumper boats, a batting cage, miniature golf, an indoor playhouse, and arcade games. There's no admission fee, with each activity priced separately and bundled packages available. Venture to one of the city parks, including its largest, Don Jones Memorial Park, featuring sporting fields, walking paths, a playground, and a seasonal water park, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

If you're flying into Oregon, the Rogue Valley Medford International Airport is less than 3 miles away; the city of Medford boasts long, sunny days and a thriving wine scene. Time your visit to align with one of several community events, including the aforementioned cheese festival, 4th of July Parade and Freedom Festival, and a spring and fall Made in Southern Oregon local makers event. You'll also want to venture to Rogue River, the small town that's a big deal with festivals and outdoor fun, located about 17 miles away.