Yachats Travel Guide: 2 Days in Oregon’s BEST Hidden Getaway Town

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If there’s one thing you will quickly learn about Oregon, it’s that the “beach” is not an actual beach. It is the coast. It’s cold. It’s windy. And it’s dreary. But sometimes that’s exactly what you need in life. So whether you need a moody break from the relatively busy Portland life, or if you’re just looking for a relaxing change of pace, I would recommend you check out the small coastal town of Yachats, Oregon. So – I wrote this Yachats travel guide!

It’s in the bottom left corner of the state, and it’s one of the most scenic stops in Oregon along the coastal highway 1 (which changes to 101 upon reaching Oregon from California). When I first visited Yachats, it was NYE 2017. I had dedicated 2018 to be my Year of Yes, and I wanted to start it off with some of the most dramatic views Oregon had to offer. So I went straight for Yachats.

Now I get Oregon isn’t the most popular state in the USA for tourism, especially to non-Americans, and even less Yachats. So here’s a quick info guide on this quaint lil town.

• Pronunciation: YAH-hots
• State: Oregon (that’s on the west coast of the United States)
• Population: 757 (2017). Yup. That’s it.
• Ancestral land: Hanis Coos (Coos Proper), Miluk Coos; Lower Umpqua Tribe; Alsea Tribe, and Siuslaw Tribe. 4 Tribes, 5 Bands.
• Distance from Portland: 2h45m
• Best season to visit (in my opinion): Summer and Winter. Either take the nicer weather in summer or get super moody vibes in winter!
• Vibe: Low-key, small town
• Price range: Affordable-Moderate. It’s isn’t city-expensive, but it is a popular pitstop while driving up the 101.
• Transportation: You will need a car.

Where to Stay in Yachats

In my humble opinion, if you are going to stay anywhere on the Oregon coast, it’s worth it to get an ocean view – especially in Yachats. Below, I’m listing some nice places I’ve stayed in, or my friends have stayed in, both luxury and more on the budget side. Now, luxury in Yachats isn’t the Burj Al Arab, but it’s very comfortable.

I think coastal destinations in Oregon are perfect for friend getaways, so I’ve included some options as well! I stayed in one over NYE and it was a ball! Well, aside from me getting too drunk and being hungover the rest of the weekend, but I digress. Let’s start off this Yachats travel guide by finding you a play to stay!

If you haven’t used Airbnb before, click this link for $55 USD in Airbnb credit! ($40 off a home booking, $15 towards an Airbnb Experience!)

Yachats travel guide tip: I would recommend always bringing a rain jacket to the Oregon coast, as well as waterproof boots and maybe a beanie, even in the summer months because temperatures usually only get to about low 70s-high 60s and cloudy. (18-21C).

Luxury

Overleaf Lodge and Spa

1bed/1.5bath

Budget

Cape Cod Cottages

1bed/1bath

Big Groups

4beds/2bath

6beds/2.5bath

8beds/2.5bath

12beds/4bath

What to Eat in Yachats

Yachats isn’t a huge food hub, so don’t expect luxurious fine dining, cutting edge innovative cafes, or instagrammable popup restaurants on every corner, but there are a few gems in this small town. They rely on sustainable sourcing, customer service, and good ol’ fashion quality to ensure you have the best experience. Also, I didn’t take any pictures of the food -because I’m a fantastic blogger- so enjoy these random ones that I’ll sprinkle throughout this section of the Yachats travel guide.

Bread & Roses:

You gotta start your day off right! They make their bread and pastries fresh every morning, and often sell out by the afternoon. They use locally sourced flour and fair trade coffee beans from Eugene, Oregon. While they offer both sweet and savory pastry options, you HAVE to get the Celestial Snail. Trust me.

Luna Seafood Fish House:

You’re on the Oregon coast, so you owe it to yourself to at least try some seafood! And Luna’s seafood fish house is the best in Yachats. They are actually open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you have your pick! Plus they are dolphin/ecosystem safe, meaning they use ethical hook and line methods of fishing for individual handling. The clam chowder is divineeeee. The atmosphere is very relaxed and is even a pet-friendly restaurant and they have weekly in-house live music! Plus, they even have a fresh fish case where you can buy tons of different seafood STRAIGHT OFF THE BOAT.  

The Drift Cafe:

This restaurant (which is also an inn!) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but this time in a cozy pub! It’s very family-friendly, with an amazing dessert menu. You gotta try their marionberry cobbler! Marionberry is an Oregon staple! The menu is pretty extensive, so there’s something for everyone, even the pickiest of eaters! All of their products are locally sourced and they do a great job of providing opportunities for local artists to showcase their work in the restaurant.

Hilltop Cafe and Bistro:

This one is a short drive from Yachats, but it seriously has THE BEST SANDWICHES. I’m personally not a fan of potato salad, but I’ve heard rave reviews about it! A very nice family-run bistro, and for the west coast, their ribs are pretty darn melt-in-your-mouthy. The restaurant is right on the beach as well, so you can have a scenic stroll as you walk off your lunch! 

Ona Restaurant and Lounge:

Ona is a more upscale dinner place, and they also only serve local, seasonal, and ethically sourced food, so they do close in the winter from late-October to early-February, but you can check their website for exact dates for the year! That also means that their menu changes seasonally and they have nightly specials! IT’S REAL CUTE. But also on the pricier side. 

Yachats Brewing:

It’s Oregon, SO YOU KNOW I HAD TO THROW A BREWERY ON HERE!! For a brewery, the ambiance is spotttt on: fun but casual, cozy but not dark or heavy. Plus, it has a great tap list. And, of course, and amazing home craft brew.  The food is your regular beer food, like burgers, potatoes, and mac & cheese, but they mix it up with unique toppings…and they’re randomly really into beets..? BUT IT WORKS??? This is your go-to drink spot!

Things to Do in Yachats

Well, to put it bluntly in this Yachats travel guide, there’s not a lot to DO, if you know what I mean. You will probably be spending most of your time enjoying the scenery. Literally, that’s the gist of this place. But it’s not at all a bad thing! In fact, it was what I enjoyed most about Yachats. And that’s coming from someone who gets bored VERY easily. But if you’d like a nudge in the right direction instead of aimlessly wandering about and wasting gas money, here are my favorite things to “do” in Yachats!

Sea Lion Caves

This is pretty much the only big-ticket attraction nearby, but even then it’s very low key. These particular caves are the largest sea lion caves in the nation, and boy…it’s impressive. For a couple of bucks, you take a little elevator down to a viewing platform of the sea lions. There is a fence and a couple dozen feet between you and the closest sea lion, so you aren’t disturbing them at all. They are VERY loud though. It’s at the top of most Yachats travel guides, and tbh if you’re low on time, don’t feel bad for skipping it.

North Fork Covered Bridges

Just a short drive from the town and you’ll find a super cute historic covered bridge. It is one of the few remaining in Oregon. Keep your expectations low though, because it is literally just a covered bridge. The path isn’t drive through as the road ends at private property. Sooo go in an oversized vehicle or RV because you won’t be able to turn around.

Cape Perpetua

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS GAWD this was my favorite part of my trip to Yachats. And honestly, if you can only do one thing on this Yachats travel guide list – make sure it’s this one. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is part of the greater Siuslaw National Forest. It. Is. BREATHTAKING. It embodies everything beautiful about the PNW coastline: views, cliffs, forests, and dramatic waves. It also houses 3 of the coolest spots in Yachats – Spouting Horn, Thor’s Well, and Devil’s Churn. I could go all day about it, but I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Haceta Head Lighthouse 

Because of the excellent blogger I am, I didn’t get any close up pictures of the ACTUAL lighthouse. Right as we were about to hike around the area, it started pouring rain so we high-tailed it back to shelter. You can even stay in the lighthouse overnight if you really want an unforgettable experience! It’s pretty freaking iconic.

Enjoy the Coast

Yeahhh…those are pretty much the highlights. Other than that, just stroll along the beach. You can walk along the 804 Trail which connects the 7 miles of stretch of the “beach”, or just plop down at your favorite spot and watch the waves eb and flow. That said, there isn’t MUCH sand. A lot of the shoreline is made up of black basalt rock, the result of lava flows millions of years ago. There are also so fun tidepools to check out. If you’re looking for a more moderate hike, check out the Ya’Xaik Trail. It’s still pretty short, but a tad more challenging than just…walking on the sidewalk.

In Conclusion

Yachats is not a hot spot. In fact, even among Oregon’s coastal cities, it’s a well-kept secret. But, in my humble opinion, it is the best town on the Oregon coast, hands down. Its beauty is unmatched. Periodt. It’s the perfect location for a romantic getaway or a relaxing break with friends. I really hope you’ve enjoyed this Yachats travel guide, and found it helpful! And maybe it’s even convinced you into visiting!

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Visit Oregon’s Hidden Gem

So what do you think of this Yachats travel guide? Are you dying to visit?? If you’re looking for another fun coastal town in Oregon, check out my travel guide for Tillamook!

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