A breath of fresh air
Make the natural choice, with an escape to Yachats
By Barbara B. Covell
For the TODAY
It is called the Gem of the Oregon Coast and is unlike any other town or city where the land meets the sea. It is a unique place where visitors can casually stroll through the village, walk miles of pristine beach or hike myriad trails. It is a place to renew, recharge, and breathe clean ocean air. Yachats offers an abundance of outdoor options without the hassle of large crowds and traffic. Social distancing is a way of life here, where sandy beaches and inviting trails offer countless opportunities to explore nature.
It is also the community spirit that makes Yachats unique. With a population of 700, there’s a small-town feel, along with a dedicated commitment to maintaining the natural beauty of this gem.
Yet there are many things that set Yachats apart from other coastal towns.
There are wide beaches with pure white sand, driftwood statues, sand dollars and world-class agates. Explore to your heart’s content or walk the seven-mile sandy shoreline to neighboring Waldport. Along the way, take in the beauty of Gray whales and sea lions who call this ocean home.
Or venture south of town where the mouth of the Yachats River meets the ocean waves. The rocky shoreline is a paradise for devout rockhounds searching for treasures. Treat yourself to the tide pools featuring sea stars, sea anemones and bull kelp in their tangled resting places upon the rocks.
The five beach access points are clearly marked throughout the village. Bring a kite, binoculars, or plan a picnic as you watch a world-class sunset. And don’t forget a camera to capture the memorable surf and unforgettable views.
If cycling is your passion, Yachats offers routes to accommodate casual and seasoned bikers, whether village sightseeing or the more adventurous courses both north and south of town.
The trail systems within Yachats are unparalleled and unique for a town its size. The history of their evolution is equally notable. In 1989, there were no trails in and around the city limits, but this changed in 1990 when the 804 Trail was created, denoting an historic pioneer and Indian trail. Today the 804 Trail connects two of the three day-use state parks within the city limits, and travels two miles north alongside a sandy beach.
The 804 also links to the Ya’Xaik Trail, commemorating the Alsea coastal Indians who lived in the Yachats area for thousands of years. This is a one-mile loop that journeys through lush, second-growth forest to the public footpath of the Gerdemann Botanical Preserve. The public footpath is an extraordinary walk under a canopy of coastal woodland.
The historic Amanda Trail is dedicated to the memory of a blind Coos woman who suffered enormous injustices during the reservation years in the 1860s. It also represents the sad history that genocide once existed in Yachats. The north trailhead traverses 1.2 miles from Ocean Loop Road to a wooded gathering site where the Amanda statue stands. After crossing a stream, the trail continues another two miles to the summit of Cape Perpetua, towering 800 feet over the Pacific Ocean.
There are interpretive signs on all three of these trails that speak to their histories.
Additional trails have been created in and around Yachats. The Prospect Trail winds its way through a garden that features a multitude of native plants reclaimed from a thicket of blackberry and ivy by the all-volunteer Yachats Trails Committee. The Wetlands boardwalk and woods path crosses through the middle of town from the Yachats Community Park. The wetlands were covered up in the 1940s and rehabilitated 10 years ago by local citizens.
The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, south of town, is a 2,700-acre coastal habitat in the Siuslaw National Forest that features unsurpassed viewpoints and the highest drivable vista on the Oregon Coast. A stone shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, sits high atop the headland where you can see 70 miles of coastline and 37 miles out to sea. A visitor center offers exhibits about the diverse cultural and natural histories of this area.
Within this reserve is a 26-mile network of trail systems which give many opportunities to experience this lush temperate rainforest, which offers wildlife viewing, hiking, and guided outdoor tours.
The Giant Spruce Trail is a two-mile roundtrip to the second largest sitka in Oregon, a 500-year-old tree that is more than 206 feet tall. The roots come out of the trunk above ground level, creating a tunnel underneath that’s large enough for a tall adult to walk through.
The pounding surf and basalt rock shoreline have created massive whirlpools like Thor’s Well, Devil’s Churn, and Cook’s Chasm, while the Spouting Horn shows the power of crashing waves.
Further south is Neptune State Park which features scenic viewpoints with rolling waves into agate laden coves, tide pools and beach access at Strawberry Hill and Bob Creek waysides. Travel down Highway 101 and there’s the Heceta Head Lighthouse which stands 205 feet above ocean level, casting a beam 21 miles out to sea. It is the brightest light on the Oregon Coast. It was built in 1894 and remains a working lighthouse with daily tours.
Even though Yachats is a small town, it has a lot to offer. There are a variety of places to stay, ranging from resorts to bed & breakfasts and vacation rentals. And, an equally wide range of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, a coffee roaster and brewery. Most places offer takeout options, many feature online ordering from their website. Whatever food you crave, chances are it will be in Yachats.
Local live music and regional arts are a part of the Yachats experience. There’s an abundance of shops and art galleries with crafts, clothing, accessories, books, tools, toys and musical instruments. Feel free to explore and you might unearth that perfect find.
Maybe you’d like to see historic places like the Little Log Church and Museum, built in 1924. Or the Yachats Covered Bridge, first built in 1938.
While COVID regulations have restricted annual events, the community spirit remains in Yachats. Feel at ease knowing that social distancing and safety measures are a part of the culture. There is plenty of space here, so walk around and enjoy a low-stress vacation.
While here, stop by the Yachats Visitor Center at the Yachats Commons to pick up brochures, guides, and maps at the north window. We are in the heart of town at 441 Hwy. 101 N.
For more information, go to discoveryachats.org or call the Yachats Visitor Center at 541-547-3530.