Eugene, OR HyperLocal City Guide featuring Neighborhoods, Zip Codes and Yellow Pages.

Eugene, Oregon is home to the University of Oregon and the birthplace of Nike Corporation, with a population slightly under 150,000. Located at the south end of the Willamette River halfway between Portland and Salem, Eugene is about 60 miles from the Pacific Coast. Pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable: "you JEAN," the city is known for outdoor recreation and its focus on the arts.

Technically curious visitors enjoy the Oregon Air and Space Museum's classic aircraft collection, while the more earth-oriented head for the University of Oregon's Museum of Natural History to learn more about the state's varied geographical regions.

Shoppers visit the Fifth Street Public Market's craft boutiques and the Nike shoes heritage store, where a museum celebrates the company's founding in Eugene.

An hour's drive away on Highway 58 is the Willamette Pass ski resort. Hoodoo and Mount Bachelor ski areas are also nearby. In warmer weather, hiking and mountain biking are popular in the mountains along Highway 58.

Visitors rate the Hampton Inn, Residence Inn, Valley River Inn and Courtesy Inn highest in Eugene. Campbell House was voted one of the country's best bed and breakfast inns by American Historic Inns.

The Fifth Street Public Market is home to several restaurants. Chef Ray Sewell, a friend of Beat Generation writer and now-deceased local resident Ken Kesey serves his signature cioppino seafood stew at Chez Ray's North Beach, while Sweetwaters at the Valley River Inn provides a fine dining experience.

Popular Willamette Valley wineries near Eugene include King Estate, Chateau Lorane and LaVelle Vineyards. Hinman Vineyards - Silvan Ridge produces a semi-sparkling Muscat dessert wine that will please those with a sweet tooth.