Overview
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".
4 sights · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Yachats
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
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 prog…
Smelt Sands State Recreation Site
A good place for whale-watching and tide-pooling, and named after the yearly run of smelt (a relative of salmon)
Yachats Beach
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Oct. Summer highs reach about 67°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Coos Bay)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EUG Eugene Airport, Eugene — 46 mi away. Directions
- OTH Southwest Oregon Regional Airport, North Bend — 62 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 115 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $100–$100 a night (typical $148), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$220, comfortable ~$270.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
- Lunch The Adobe Resort
- Afternoon Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, Yachats Beach
- Dinner Drift Inn
- Evening The Green Salmon Coffee and Tea House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Yachats is one of few places in Oregon that charges a sales tax- 5% on all prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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
See Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
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.
See 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!
- 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.
Eat Drift Inn
Live music daily. Fantastic vegan pizzas and other options. Also operates as a motel.
Eat Green Salmon Coffee Shop
Soup and sandwiches along with coffees, teas, and cocoa.
Drink
Drink The Green Salmon Coffee and Tea House
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.
Sleep
Nearby
Waldport
City / town · 13 listings · 8 mi away
Newport
City / town · 28 listings · 20 mi away
Florence
City / town · 18 listings · 23 mi away
Toledo
City / town · 4 listings · 23 mi away
Depoe Bay
City / town · 35 listings · 34 mi away
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Park · 41 mi away
Veneta
City / town · 7 listings · 41 mi away
Reedsport
City / town · 5 listings · 42 mi away
My experience
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