Let’s get some of your biggest questions out of the way.
How big is Yachats?
It depends on who you ask and the time of year. As a rough estimate, Yachats probably has about 700 residents.
What makes Yachats different from other coastal towns?
There’s so much to say, but if we have to highlight a few things:
- There’s a strong feeling of community that’s hard to find elsewhere, which is why so many people come back to Yachats year after year.
- Beautiful natural sights right next to the ocean and plenty of room to walk around — a much needed breath of fresh air during the pandemic.
- For such a small town, Yachats has a lot of wonderful businesses, restaurants, and amenities.
- Yachats has one of the best trails systems in the region.
Y-a-c-h … what? How do you pronounce that?
Yachats is pronounced YAH-hahts. Emphasis on the first syllable. The “c” is silent.
(That’s /ˈjɑːhɑːts/ if you like the International Phonetic Alphabet.)
Yachats is a word derived from the Siletz language and roughly means “dark water at the foot of the mountain”
Where is Yachats?
Yachats is located on Highway 101 on the central Oregon coast in Lincoln County between Newport and Florence.
How do I get to Yachats?
There are two commercial airports that allow for a straightforward, scenic drive to Yachats: Portland PDX (167 miles) and Eugene EUG (84 miles).
From Portland:
Take I-205 S to I-5 S, exit #228 OR 34 to the coast to US 101 S.
From Eugene:
Take OR 126 W to US 101 N.
It’s hard to get too lost. There’s one main road and the ocean is on the west side!
You can also find shuttle and bus services to help with transportation from the airport.
What’s the weather like? When’s a good time of year to visit?
Yachats experiences mild temperatures throughout most of the year.
Summer is the most common time to visit. It doesn’t usually get above 75-80° F (24-27° C) during the summer, when it’s frequently sunny. Great weather for walking, hiking, outdoor dining, and quiet time next to the ocean.
During the winter, rain is common, including during intense storms, which are a favorite of regional storm watchers. It doesn’t get too cold. Temperatures rarely drop below about 30° F (-1° C). Between the storms and the slower pace, Yachats has a significant number of people who like to visit every winter.
Where can I stay in Yachats or nearby?
Many options for lodging are available including several hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, as well as a number of vacation rentals. Click here for more information on lodging.
Where can I eat in town?
Yachats has a variety of special restaurants loved by visitors and locals alike. For more information on dining in town, click here.
Yachats has three state parks in town?!
Yes! Yachats Ocean Road offers a scenic one-mile drive and beach access. Yachats State Park offers ample river and ocean views and tidepool access. Smelt Sands sits on the scenic 804 Trail and is one of the best places to safely watch the tides.
What about historic buildings or places?
The Little Log Church and Museum was first built in 1926 and includes many historic artifacts. (It’s currently closed to visitors during the pandemic but you can still walk by.)
The North Fork of the Yachats Bridge is a covered bridge first built in 1938. It’s about nine miles northeast of Yachats in the river valley.
The rock shelter at Cape Perpetua was built during World War II by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It offers splendid views of the coastline.