(Bend, Ore.) -- We say it smugly, even putting bumper stickers on our own cars with the slogan that is part declaration part invitation: "We Live Where You Vacation."

It's a true sentiment for the 100,000 or so lucky souls who live in Central Oregon and the more than 3.6 million others who each year visit our quietly bustling communities nestled at the base of the picturesque Cascade Mountains.

The resort communities of Bend, Sunriver, Sisters and Redmond, Oregon offer a spectacular year‐round setting for outdoor recreation. Famous for its high desert sunshine and high mountain vistas, this vacation paradise encompasses charming small towns, pristine wilderness and world‐class resorts. Central Oregon is an outdoor playground open 24/7, 365 days a year.

The beautiful scenery, sunny skies and dry climate have helped create the ideal setting for golf. Many of the game's finest architects – Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Bandon Dunes designers David McLay Kidd and Tom Doak – have turned our unique landscape into a Mecca for golf enthusiasts from spring through late fall.

The Central Oregon Golf Trail boasts 30 spectacular courses that challenge players of every skill level. In September of 2000 Central Oregon was named among the Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World by Golf Digest magazine – and that was before new additions like Pronghorn and Tetherow cemented our spot on every "Best Of" list out there.
Crosswater Club is a Golf Magazine Gold Medal award winner at Sunriver Resort, the premier destination resort in the Northwest, and a bucket list course of everyone who truly loves the game.

The Pacific Amateur Golf Classic, held each September on a selection of Central Oregon's most scenic and challenging courses, has earned the reputation as one of the premier amateur golf events in the country and attracts golfers who love to compete in the second largest amateur tournament in the nation. All you need to enter is an established handicap and a desire to test your skills against other avid golfers.

Beyond golf, Central Oregon has also quickly become a destination for cyclists worldwide looking for one-of-a-kind, family friendly scenic bikeways and hundreds of miles of diverse mountain bike terrain. Professional cycling has taken notice too, highlighted by the Cascade Cycling Classic – North America's longest-running stage race, and the mountain bike and road cycling national championships.

Come winter, sunshine and blue skies provide the backdrop for magical snow covered landscapes. Mt. Bachelor, a 9,065‐foot volcanic cone offers world‐class skiing and snowboarding from November through May. Famous for its deep, dry powder, the mountain annually plays host to Olympic hopefuls and international competitions, as well as families looking for winter fun. With eighty-eight runs served by a network of ten of the world's fastest express lifts, there's a way down the mountain for every interest and ability. In addition to the world‐renowned downhill skiing and snowboarding; snowshoeing tours, sled dog rides and Nordic skiing are all offered on site. (A new downhill mountain bike park will be added to Mt. Bachelor's repertoire this summer.)

That's just the beginning though. With nearly 300 days of sunshine, outdoor recreation of all kinds beckons visitors throughout the year. The High Desert's sparkling rivers and dozens of alpine lakes offer some of the finest fishing in the West. Rafting, hiking and boating are popular pastimes of tourists and locals alike.

Travel writers love to talk about our abundant outdoor recreation, but we have a sneaky suspicion they're doing that writing bellied up to the bar at a Central Oregon brewpub – 17 can be found in Bend alone. The burgeoning craft brewery scene here is proving to be a draw for tourists and a boon to our local economy.

The brewpubs are joined by a growing list of fine dining opportunities and tax‐free shopping at a perfect mix of mom and pop shops, local, upscale boutiques and big box, mainstream stores.

Throw in a collegiate summer baseball team, a "living" museum showcasing the natural beauty and history of the area, a busy cultural calendar that includes live music, theater, art and music festivals as well as many special events and Central Oregon answers the question, "Where can I go to get it all?"

Accommodations in Central Oregon cater to every budget and taste from intimate bed and breakfasts to luxurious Four‐Diamond resorts to traditional Western dude ranches. Convenient commercial air service to Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) from San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Salt Lake City, UT; and Denver, CO, make this paradise accessible.

For more information contact Central Oregon Visitors Association at 800.800.8334 or 541-389-8799 www.VisitCentralOregon.com