Yachats lies towards the southern border of Lincoln County in what is one of the more remote stretches of Oregon’s coastline. Here, dense coastal forests of spruce and mountain hemlock run towards the sea, and craggy shorelines create a subdued and rugged beauty that surrounds this small fishing community. The black basalt coastal areas and surrounding parklands exemplified in the Tokatee Klootchman State Natural Site provide countless opportunities for outdoor recreation that range from hiking and mountain biking to whale watching.

The town of Yachats is small, both in terms of footprint and regional attractions. A weekly farmers market hosts a variety of locally-sourced grocery items and artisanal goods from around the community, while several seafood restaurants along the main seaside drag serve dishes that include ingredients caught that very day. Yahats is also home to a popular brewery and bakery, two staples in many of Oregon’s coastal towns. Despite the rural nature of the area, Yachats sits along the state’s busy Highway 101, so accessing the surrounding communities, both large and small, is easy and efficient.

Yachats isn’t difficult to access, but it takes some time due to the spread-out nature of Oregon’s coastal communities. The nearest international airport to the town is the Portland International Airport (PDX), just over three hours away. The Eugene Airport (EUG) is a smaller regional airstrip located just under two hours from town, but only a handful of airlines operate out of the terminal, limiting the options available for flights into the area. Renting a vehicle at the airport is the only way to access Yachats, as public transit options are non-existent. The town itself is small and compact, with a single main street containing most businesses and commercial attractions in the area. Walking around Yachats is easy enough, but a vehicle is necessary for getting around and exploring the surrounding area.

The northern coastal climate of Yachats makes for short, warm summers and chilly, rainy winters. The Oregon coast is known for its generally overcast skies through much of the year, and Yachats is no exception. That being said, the deep green forests, rolling gray clouds, and dark ocean waters found in the area hold a remarkable beauty unique to the region that’s worth witnessing any time of year.

To avoid the chance of showers getting in the way as much as possible, looking for vacation rentals in Yachats in July and August is your best bet, as they are the two driest months of the year. However, if you can tolerate a little cold, bring a rain jacket in January to get a chance to witness pods of migratory whales making their way south for the winter. The shoulder seasons bring brisk temperatures that make for great hiking and events such as the Yachats Village Mushroom Fest in mid-October.

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

This oceanside network of trails and dramatic forested prominences climbing from the sea lies south of town. Stopping at the visitors’ center is a great way to learn about some of the area’s cultural and natural histories before spending the day exploring the 26 miles of trails that hug the rocky coastline.

Tide Pools

Hundreds of tidepools can be found up and down Oregon’s sprawling coastlines, with many of them located around the Yachats region. These unique ecologies appear during low tide among the rocky basalt coastal areas, where a medley of marine life, including barnacles, starfish, and anemones live. All tidepool life and environments are protected in Oregon, meaning touching or interacting with the sea life is prohibited.

Newport

Just 30 minutes away, Newport is a commercial fishing town with a quirky artistic bent that makes for a wonderful day trip from Yachats. An oceanfront port area hosts restaurants featuring freshly caught seafood. Newport also houses the tallest lighthouse in Oregon, the wooden Yaquina Headland Lighthouse.