Information
About the Guest House
Thanks for visiting our web site. The West Bank Guest House is a quiet one or two person rental, offered by a retired contractor. It's a recently remodeled and fully furnished half of a duplex in a park setting. (Non smoking, no pets, please). The one large bedroom has a king-sized bed and a walk-in closet with a washer and dryer. The living room and office are separated with converging pocket doors that can be left open for spaciousness or closed for privacy. Bedroom, office, and living room have Australian Cypress hardwood floors. There is a galley style kitchen and a dining area. It has all the necessary appliances and utensils, as well as the basic condiments. The bath has a 4 foot wide maple vanity and matching medicine cabinet, and a one piece fiberglass tub/shower with a grab bar for safety and stability.
As the name implies, the Guest House is located on the Willamette River - at milepost 0 of the Ruth Bascomb Riverbank Trail. Additionally milepost 0 is located in Maurie Jacobs Park, and at the Greenway bike/pedestrian bridge across the river.
If you go to our map page we have a Google map where you can get a very good bird's eye view of the area. The large flat area is a City of Eugene soccer field, and that's the view from the living room window.
Since we're on the bike path, there are a couple of bikes here available for use at your own risk. These are "utility" bikes, certainly adequate for cruising the bike path, or for using to fish along the river, but not suitable for aggressive biking. A nearby bike shop has bicycles for rent if you want to do a bike workout. Though Oregon law does not require helmets for adults, wearing one is highly recommended. I have several adjustable helmets here to choose from.
Within a Mile
Just across the bridge is the areas largest shopping center, Valley River Center and a Regal Cinema 15 cineplex with a new IMAX theater. Besides the food court in the mall, more than 15 restaurants are located in or around the center, fast food to fine dining.
Also across the bridge and just to the north of the center is Delta Ponds Park, a restored wetland which has a resident population of Western Pond turtles, beavers, and an occasional river otter. Over 145 species of birds have been documented as living here or migrating through. I have bird feeders in the back yard and have counted 43 species here, not including those I haven't been able to identify, or flying over without landing.
East of here along the bike path is Owen Rose Garden at milepost .5, and Skinner's Butte Park at milepost 1. This years big attraction at the top of Skinner's Butte is a pair of Bald Eagles with an eaglet in their nest.
Also within a mile and located in the Whiteaker neighborhood is Oakshire Brewery's tasting room and outdoor seating area. Food is available at the burger cart next door, or a visiting cart. There are two craft breweries about a half mile away. The continually expanding Ninkasi Brewery has a large outdoor seating area and a smaller tasting room. Food there is supplied by rotating food carts. The newest brewery, Hop Valley, has a large outdoor seating area as well as a tasting room and another larger indoor seating area. They have their own kitchen and serve soup, sandwiches, pizza, etc.. They're the only one of the three where you can watch sports on TV. Sam Bond's, our local tavern and music venue will soon be making their own beer as well.
Surprisingly, there is also a winery about a mile from here. The vineyards are in the coast range, but Territorial Vinyards makes it's wines in the Whiteaker neighborhood, and has a tasting room as well.
A Little Further
Downtown Eugene is on the other side of Skinners Butte, about a mile and a half by bicycle.
The University of Oregon is also accessible by bicycle, about 3 miles upriver on the bike path. Parts of the campus are on the bike path itself, the main campus and historic Hayward Field are just across Franklin Boulevard.
Trips from Here
The Pacific coast and the City of Florence are around 65 miles west of Eugene, about an hour and a half drive. A day trip could include the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Cape Perpetua, and Sea Lion Caves.
Oregon wines have gained a favorable reputation around the world, and our area has some of the best. Wineries near Eugene.
The highway out of Eugene to the east runs along the world famous McKenzie River, birthplace of the McKenzie River Driftboat. Guided fishing trips are available, as well as recreational rafting day trips. A spectacular day trip would be along the river to highway 242 and the Dee Wright Observatory in the lava beds at McKenzie summit, then through Sisters, Oregon and back.
Oregon Football from Here
Autzen Stadium has very limited parking, and all of that is reserved. The WBGH is located approximately 2-1/2 miles from Autzen Stadium via the Ruth Bascomb Riverbank Path System. The paved paths are restricted to pedestrians and bicycles, and you can get from here to the stadium without encountering any automobile traffic or crossing a single street. At a reasonable pace it's around a 45 minute walk.
Our "utility" bicycles are available as transportation to daytime games. As you near the stadium pedestrian traffic increases and at some point it will be necessary to dismount and walk the bike. It is even more congested when the game ends and everyone is leaving at once. The bicycles are not equipped with lights and are not recommended for night games.
Shuttle busses depart from the Valley River shopping center parking lot just across the footbridge and are the most convenient way to get to the stadium for evening or night games. The shuttle rate has been $6 for a round trip. Quite often people take the shuttle to the game and walk back along the path rather than deal with waiting for a bus after the game.
Fishing from Here
The Willamette running through Eugene has a decent population of Rainbow and Cutthroat trout, and a good summer Steelhead run. The following article from our local fly fishing shop, the Caddis Fly, is about a couple friends of mine who are avid fly-fishers. Oregon Flyfishing Blog
Although the best way to fish the Willamette is by drift boat, most of the river through Eugene is accessible by bike-fishing, which can be quite successful and a lot of fun as well. Of course, the simplest thing to do simply walk down to the bank and wet a line. Quite a few steelhead are caught near the bridge, and I walked to the river and caught this Rainbow at 9:00 one morning.
One day fishing trip opportunities from here are abundant and diverse. More about fishing the area will be posted here soon, or you can e-mail me for more information.
Rental Information
This is an extended stay rental, generally a one month minimum. Inquiries for availability should have length of stay, dates, and whether it is for one or two people. This is a one bedroom unit and more than two are not allowed. Rental rates are seasonal, e-mail for more information. Non-smoking only, no pets. Ample parking.
Thank you for your consideration - Ted Chudy owner.