Winston, OR

Located along a bend in the South Umpqua River, the wooded hills of Winston provide some amazing views of this rugged, mountainous landscape. The 983,129-acre Umpqua National Forest is directly east of Winston, providing hiking and camping opportunities in the Cascade Mountains. Riverbend Park features Riverbend Live, a popular outdoor concert series, along with basketball courts, a playground, and a baseball diamond. For shopping and dining, residents head to Main Street, near the intersection with Northwest Douglas Boulevard.

Winston is directly south of the Wildlife Safari, a drive-through park covering 600 acres. The animals wander freely throughout the park and include African elephants, giraffes, ostriches, lions, South African cheetahs, bears, and hippopotamuses. The park also offers a petting zoo, an event center, a café and gift shop, and a theater. Other nearby attractions include Abacela (a winery), Spangler Vineyards, and the Douglas County Museum. Winston is roughly one hour from the Pacific Coast beaches, including Bullards Beach State Park and Shore Acres State Park.