Yachats - The Coolest Small Town | Top Things To Do & See

A little coastal community in Lincoln County with a population of 1,000 people, Yachats is nestled on the hillsides and along the mouth of the Yachats River at the foot of the Cape Perpetua.

For many centuries, Native Americans lived in this area as hunter-gatherers, seasonally migrating between the summer camps and the winter residences. The name of the city is derived from the Alsea language that means “dark water at the mountain foot”.

The dramatic scenery of the coastline, the rugged seashore with the powerful waves crashing against it, old-growth rainforest adjacent to the rocky enchanting beaches attract thousands of tourists annually. The area has a mild climate accompanied by temperatures averaging 60 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and 45 degrees Fahrenheit in winter. This makes any activities in and around Yachats great at any time of year.

In 2007, Budget Travel Magazine named the city one of the "Ten Coolest Small Towns of the U.S."

Yachats - Things to Do & See

This small town is a beautiful place to visit, relax, hike, explore while enjoying the sounds and sights of the Pacific Ocean. The area is a great destination for those who prefer a quite getaway in one of numerous lodges with the breathtaking ocean vista. Outdoor lovers can enjoy a range of great adventures such as hiking, beachcombing, agate hunting, tidepool exploring, and whale-watching.

Whale-watching is one of the most popular activities year-round as the Oregon Coast is filled with these majestic creatures. Watch the gray whale migration twice a year, in winter and spring.

At low tide, tidepools are everywhere along the rocky shoreline. Discover exotic marine creatures including sea stars, urchins, chitons, sea stars, anemones, and saltwater algae. Please do not remove them.

Beaches of Central Oregon, as well as banks of the rivers entering the ocean near Yachats allow collecting various rocks and minerals. You can find beautiful material here including agates, jaspers, petrified wood, fossils, and serpentine.

Be sure to check the tide tables before your trip to the ocean. When you are on the beach, never turn your back on the ocean.

The most visited site near Yachats is the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. You can hike from Yachats or just drive to enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Head to the top of the Cape Perpetua and experience stunning ocean views of the coastline and the ocean. Visit a narrow channel Devil's Churn, Spouting Horn at Cook's Chasm, and Thor's Well.

Hike along the shoreline trails and see the surf and rock splendor. There are also rainforest trails with leafy and fresh soil scents near the beach.

Cape Perpetua

A unique landmark, Cape Perpetua features rocky beaches, tide pools, spouting horns, and mysterious Thor's Well. The area provides excellent opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and outdoor photography.

Cape Perpetua Shelter is the best spot to see 70 miles of coastline and 37 miles out to sea on a clear day.

Spouting Horn and Thor's Well at Cook's Chasm

Cook's Chasm is the stage for the Pacific Ocean's performance. At high tide, you can see the ocean in the action with crashing waves, saltwater explosions, foaming cisterns, and the magic sinkhole Thor's Well that swallows sea water.