Cal Young - Eugene, OR Area Guide

The Cal Young neighborhood takes its name after Cal Marcellus Young (1871-1957), the son of a pioneer couple who homesteaded the area in 1851. After organizing and coaching the University of Oregon’s first football team, in the early 1900s Young began operating a farm on his family's land claim. The 268-acre homestead was eventually subdivided, and by 1980 all that remained was the farmhouse built in 1914 and a milk house built in 1874, both located at 950 Cal Young Road. As North Eugene developed from fields into residential neighborhoods, the historic farm buildings gave way to the single-family housing and apartment complexes of the modern Cal Young neighborhood. The neighborhood houses the Cuthbert Amphitheatre, a 4,000-person outdoor venue that hosts national music acts and Alton Baker Park, home of the annual Art and Vineyard festivals, as well as the city’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration.

Cal Young houses a wide variety of dining options, with the main concentration located along the Coburg Road commercial corridor. Besides representatives of the national franchise chains, the area hosts many locally-owned specialty restaurants. When you crave sushi and Asian dishes, Izumi Sushi and Grill can be found at 2773 Shadow View Drive in the Crescent Village townhome development. Go for the evening happy hour after 9 p.m. to save some money, and be sure to try the tuna guacamole made from avocado mixed with chunks of Maguro tuna and served with fried wonton wrappers instead of tortilla chips. The sweet-and-spicy chicken wings also win high acclaim from local diners. For another Asian treat in a beautiful and relaxing setting, sample the authentic Thai food at Sabai Cafe & Bar on the plaza at Oakway Center. A full cocktail menu and selections that cater to vegetarians as well as lovers of meat and seafood keep everyone happy here. Try the Tom Kah coconut soup with mussels, any of the curries, or the Crying Tiger beef salad with its slices of marinated Tri-tip steak placed on a bed of field greens, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, and laced with a spicy dressing of lime, mint and chili. Take a trip back to the 1950s for big plates of classic American-style cooking at Buddy's Diner at 1725 Coburg Road. A neighborhood drop-in spot, Buddy's features an old-style lunch counter, retro decor, and many antiques and novelty items on display. Thick, hand-blended milk shakes along with fresh-cut French fries and big hamburgers act as the star attractions, but hearty breakfasts, home-cooked style lunches and dinner specials also attract a loyal following. As a residential neighborhood, Cal Young doesn't tout much of a nightlife, but you can find good spots to have a beverage scattered here and there in the area. The Side Bar at 1680 Coburg Road draws sports fans with over 25 big screens and two happy hours daily. If you like your sports big, The Cooler on Centennial Loop has been delivering food and entertainment since 1969. A 15-foot projection screen, pool tables, karaoke, quiz nights, a comfy sofa and specials, such as the Monday Night Burger and Brew for $8.50, make this the place to watch Ducks football. To try the fruits of the local vintners, head for the Crescent Village development in northeast Cal Young where the B2 Bar and Grill presents over 40 wines, including many from Oregon wineries, along with appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

Private cars remain the most popular option for navigating main thoroughfares such as Coburg Road out to Beltline, east to the Gateway District, or into downtown Eugene, but Cal Young residents can get easily around the inner residential areas of the neighborhood by walking or biking. The neighborhood also gives easy access to the larger network of Eugene bike trails that lead along the banks of the Willamette and across the footbridge to the University of Oregon campus, downtown and points south. The LTD bus system serves Coburg and Cal Young Roads, the primary surface arteries of the area, as well as the Goodpasture/Country Club Road route along the western perimeter of Cal Young. On-call taxis are available from several local companies, and Uber along with the car-sharing services Car2go and Zipcar operate in Eugene. The proximity of the Randy Pape Beltway, Interstate 5 and State Route 126 make Cal Young a very convenient neighborhood for those who frequently travel out of the area.

Cal Young and the adjacent Harlow neighborhood provide residents 19 city parks to enjoy, including three of the city’s most popular recreation venues: Alton Baker Park, Armitage Park and the Sheldon Sports Complex. Alton Baker Park, Eugene’s largest developed park, runs along the north bank of the Willamette and has everything from duck ponds to a dog park, canoe rentals, an amphitheater, a scale model of the solar system and the first Nobel Peace Park in the United States. About 400 acres of forest, fields, plains and trails provide plenty of room for family fun as well as local events, such as Art and the Vineyard, the Eugene Rotary Duck Race, Fourth of July fireworks, and the regular concerts hosted at the Cuthbert Amphitheater on the west end of the park. Running and biking trails, walking paths and footbridges connect the entire length of the park and make getting around easy. At the north end of Coburg Road on the banks of the scenic McKenzie River, Armitage Park consists of 57 acres of wooded and open areas. Picnic tables, large group picnic sites, 37 camp sites, a nature trail, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and a single-lane boat ramp make for a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities. A 2-acre off-leash dog park with water, doggie bags, picnic tables and shade ensures the popularity of Armitage with local dog lovers. Sheldon Park provides Cal Young residents with a full range of sports and exercise facilities. A few of the highlights include baseball and softball fields, a soccer field, a performance space and a synthetic turf field. The Sheldon Pool provides indoor swimming, a weight room, picnic tables and Wi-Fi Internet. Residents also take advantage of the Sheldon Community Center and its kitchen facilities, gymnasium and meeting rooms when they need to rent space for a party, reunion, wedding or reception. The Center also provides a home for a variety of preschool as well as before-and-after school programs, summer camps and classes.

The cost of living in the Cal Young area comes in about 16 percent higher than the Eugene average. A one-bedroom apartment averages $770 per month. A pint of local microbrew runs about $6, but plentiful happy hour pricing and specials make it easy to cut that in half. A one-way ride on a Lane Transit District bus costs $1.75. Gas prices hover about 12 percent above the national average.

The major commercial district in Cal Young stretches along the length of Coburg Road, and the Oakway shopping center serves as its anchor. Oakway Center features a mix of national and local shops, high-end boutiques and home furnishing stores, as well as several restaurants in a plaza setting highlighted by the spreading canopies of heritage oak trees. Miss Meers Shoe Boutique in Oakway Center welcomes shoe shoppers with an inviting atmosphere, and a variety of shoes and handbags from top designers. Pick up a pair of sports shoes at Nike Running Eugene, also at Oakway Center. Find women’s business wear as well as casual styles at White House Black Market, and for formal wear, special event dresses, ball gowns and bridal fashions go to Beausoleil Bridal Boutique at 1600 Coburg Road. This locally-owned boutique features a mirror-lined runway so brides-to-be can try dresses with a walk down the aisle. Wags Dog Emporium has everything it takes to keep your best friend happy. Everything a dog could want from collars, leashes, doggy beds and apparel, to premium dog foods and locally made dog treats can be found at 485 Coburg Road. For groceries, Cal Young residents can head for Trader Joe’s in Oakway Center, or Albertsons, Safeway and Costco, all along Coburg Road. A short drive takes you to several seasonal farmers markets in downtown Eugene and nearby neighborhoods. The largest runs during the summer on Saturdays in conjunction with the Eugene Saturday Market, a festive display of local arts and crafts, live music and food stands.