Yachats

Yachats is a city of 1,000 people (2020) on the Central Oregon Coast. The name comes from the Siletz language and means "dark water at the foot of the mountain".

Understand

Climate

The climate of Yachats is relatively mild throughout the year because of the moderating effects of the ocean currents. Temperatures rarely drop below 30 °F (−1 °C) in the winter or rise above 75 °F (24 °C) in the summer. Snow is uncommon and only occurs in rare offshore flow events with deformation banding in Arctic fronts and overrunning low pressure systems that move inland to the south, but rainfall is quite heavy through the winter months and several storms come out of the Gulf of Alaska each winter.

Get in
  • Swim in from the Pacific Ocean (wetsuit recommended, unless it is blazing hot outside).
  • Drive in on Oregon highway 101

By bus
  • Lincoln County Transit runs buses to and from Newport four times a day (M-Sa), where connections to Albany/Corvallis and further up the coast are available.
  • LinkLane runs buses to and from Florence four time a day (M-Sa), where connections to Eugene are available.

See
  • 🌍 Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, ☏ +1 541-547-3289. 
    • 🌍 Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, 2400 US-101 (On Highway 101 2 Miles South of Yachats), ☏ +01 541 547-3289. Winter 10AM-4PM, summer 9:30AM-4:30PM. The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center has a phenomenal view of the ocean from inside, and from the wheelchair accessible deck. The visitor center staff can answer questions and help you plan your trip. Daily interpretive programs including short movies and guided hikes are available in the summer. A Discover Your Northwest bookstore sells books, postcards, etc. Open seven days a week. $5 per vehicle. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Yachats Beach. 
  • Thor's Well A remarkable natural phenomenon, located an hour's walk south of Yachats. The Pacific Ocean is pulled in through a hole several metres in diameter with a channel out to the sea, and shoots out with tremendous force. Only active at certain times of the day, ask the locals when as it changes seasonally. Spectacular at sunrise or sunset. Be careful near the edge!
  • 🌍 Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, ☏ +1 541-867-7451. A good place for whale-watching and tide-pooling, and named after the yearly run of smelt (a relative of salmon) (updated Mar 2019)
  • The Little Log Church is a historical museum displaying many artifacts relating to Yachats's past. The church, built in 1926, was designed in the shape of a cross. Sir Robert Perks, who owned most of Yachats at the time, provided the property; the logs were donated as well and the work was contributed by local citizens. The museum is now owned by the city.

Buy

There are a few thrift stores around the town, profits going to local charities, with low prices even by thrift store standards ($1-2 for a shirt).

A weekend market near the centre of town offers all sorts of quality handmade goods, sterling silver jewellery and soft furnishings, glassware etc.

Eat

Yachats is one of few places in Oregon that charges a sales tax- 5% on all prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Drink
  • The Green Salmon Coffee and Tea House, 220 Hwy 101. Tu-Su 7:30AM-2PM, closed Monday. An organic, fair trade coffee roaster and purveyor of fine teas. Bakery offering a variety of pastries, muffins, scones, breads and savories along with a light breakfast and lunch menu. 
  • Yachats Brewing, 348 Hwy 101 N, ☏ +1 541-547-3884, . Th-Sa noon-9PM, Su brunch 10AM-5PM. (updated Jul 2021)

Sleep
  • Our Sand Dollar, toll-free: +1-866-721-5324. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Beautiful rental house with stairs right down to the beach. Just up from town. $195/245 (Oct 1-May 14/May 15-Sep 30). 
  • 🌍 Fireside Motel, Fireside Motel, 1881 Hwy 101 North (Heading South on the Pacific Coast Highway from Portland, the motel is at a turnoff just before Yachats), ☏ +1 541 547-3636, toll-free: +1-800-336-3573, . Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Cosy motel with stunning views of the sea (the rooms literally back onto the beach). Friendly staff, pet-friendly rooms available and comfortable beds. Affordable by the region's standards. $100 for a double room. 

Go next
Routes through Yachats
Astoria ← Waldport ←  N  S  → Florence → Coos Bay


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