Life in wooded Winston, along the South Umpqua River
Most known for its Wildlife Safari and natural setting, Winston sits along the curve of the South Umpqua River, surrounded by forested landscapes. Just shy of 6,000 residents, Winston's small population and limited retail contribute to a slower pace of life and sense of community. Deleta Dickson, a Realtor with eXp Realty, who lives in a neighboring town, describes Winston's close connection, noting that many of her clients have moved here to be near family. Just 7 miles from the county seat in Roseburg, Dickson says that some have also chosen Winston for its Douglas County location and its direct route to the coast in Bandon, roughly 70 miles west. Eugene and Medford are within 80 miles.
Fishing, kayaking and more at Winston's parks
At Winston's Wildlife Safari, visitors can take a driving tour of the park, which houses over 500 animals and 80 species. On the town's southeastern side is Riverbend Park, named for being at the bend of the Umpqua River. It has a playground, skate park and picnic areas. People head there in the summer for a free concert series that starts in June and showcases the talent of regional and national artists. Winston Dillard County Park surrounds the Winston Library, offering another playground and basketball courts. Harold and Sid Nichols Park is home to a public boat ramp. "Everyone kind of has their special spot to fish and swim," Dickson says. "You can ride kayaks down [the river] or an inner tube in some places. We call it floating the river here." Prized catches in Winston are summer steelhead and rainbow trout that can reach 20 pounds. Roughly 40 miles north, Umpqua National Forest sprawls for nearly a million acres with trails leading past waterfalls.
Houses surrounded by mountains, some on acreage
Winston's homes are set within its rolling landscape, surrounded by mountains. "You're going to have the gamut of housing, from starter homes to high-end properties and everything in between," Dickson says. "The most common are single-level ranch homes." The median list price in Winston is around $370,000, but some properties exceed $1 million, while others are priced under $100,000. Homes with ample acreage or riverfront access fetch the highest prices. Lot sizes range from less than 10,000 square feet to over 20 acres. While most properties are single-family homes, manufactured dwellings also have a foothold here. Condos and townhouses are in limited supply. Winston also has some new construction. Plans are underway for Rolling Meadows, a 57-lot development that will span 11 acres on Winston's eastern side.
Winston's dining scene and local shopping spots
Shopping and dining in the area largely cluster around Southeast Main Street and Northwest Douglas Boulevard. Winston Diner & Drive-Thru serves burgers, milkshakes and sandwiches in a 1950s-style diner with checkerboard floors. Willee's Cafe and Spirits is one of the more popular spots during happy hour. Locals can satisfy their cravings for a slice at Abby's Legendary Pizza or tacos at Muchas Gracias. Exspresso's is the hometown coffee spot with a wide range of specialty drinks. Grocery Outlet sells a wide range of produce and pantry staples in town at discounted rates. Brosi's Sugartree Farms, east of Winston, is a U-Pick facility with a farm stand that's open daily. Nearby tasting rooms include Abacela Winery and Freed Estates Vineyard, less than 3 miles away.
Winston has more restaurants than retailers, but it does include a hardware store and a discount shop. "Roseberg has a Ross, a Walmart Supercenter and Marshalls, but we don't have a ton of shopping here either," Dickson says. "When we shop for school clothes, we drive an hour to Eugene or Medford."
Education through Winston-Dillard School District
Students attend the Winston-Dillard School District. They may begin at McGovern Elementary School before filtering into Winston Middle School and Douglas High School. All of these schools earn C-minus ratings on Niche. The elementary school has a small student body, leading to a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1.
Highway 99 offers picturesque routes through Winston
Southeast Main Street, or Highway 99, cuts through Winston. Travelers can tour the landscape on several scenic drives, including the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway and the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. Nicknamed "the waterfall highway," the byway follows rivers and cascading waters.
Local parks and ramps vulnerable to flooding
Flooding in the area can be a concern after heavy rainfall or snowmelt. Riverbend Park and the Harold and Sid Nichols Boat Ramp have both been affected.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
