At first appearance, Yachats, Oregon is a quiet hamlet on the coast of Central Oregon bordered by the Siuslaw National Forest and with a stretch of somewhat tough shoreline. Unlike several more northern coastal cities, you will not find sandy beaches here.
Rather you will see waves slamming against tough black basalt rock. Actually, the word Yachats—pronounced "ya- Hots"—... Yes, I was mispronouncing it too! Derived from the Siletz language, "dark water at the foot of the mountain."
There are less than 700 people living in Yachats, and the town center is a few blocks across. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm.
And we’re not the only ones that think so… Budget Travel magazine previously called Yachats one of the “Ten Coolest Small Towns of the U.S.A.”, and Arthur Frommer (yes that man, of Frommer’s Travel Guides), once rated Yachats Oregon as one of his top 10 places in the world.
Top Things To Do In Yachats
We’ve collected together some of the greatest things to do in Yachats - from outdoor excursions surrounded by nature to offbeat things to do in town. We have also added some personal experience-based insider advice.
Here are our top suggestions for the absolute finest activities available in Yachats, Oregon.
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Stroll the shore and take in the scenery
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Go tidepooling at Smelt & Sands State Park
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Wander downtown Yachats and explore the stores
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Satisfy your sweet craving at Bread & Roses
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Enjoy live music and cuisine at Luna Sea Fish House
Keep reading for more extensive information on each of these items and more suggestions of interesting things to do in Yachats.
1. Stroll Near The Seashore And Take In The Beauty
The spectacular coastal appeal is what draws most visitors to visit Yachats. Enjoy a leisurely walk on the 804 Trail, which hugs the coastline through town offering public access and perspectives of the stormy coastal seas.
Stop along the road and take in the sights or capture the sunset. The route continues as the Oregon Coast route to the north via 7 miles of sandy beach, and to the south it links to Amanda’s Trail which leads to Cape Perpetua (more on that below).
Bonus: Grab a coffee to drink on your stroll from Green Salmon Coffee Company, an eco-friendly café that serves up fair trade brews. Double bonus!
2. Go Tidepooling At Smelt & Sands State Park
Approximately halfway down the 804 Trail is the Smelt & Sands State Recreation Site which is a modest yet magnificent state park. Despite its name, there is a significant absence of sand in this park.
In reality, the greatest attractions here are the tidepools that are filled with sea life and the seagulls hovering over the driftwood strew beach. This is an excellent site for exploring the tidal pools, hunting for agates, and capturing the sunset.
3. Wander Downtown And Visit The Stores
Browse among handmade items, art and outdoor gear at the stores and galleries. Don’t miss my personal favorite, Planet Yachats, the rock shop! This charming small boutique offering rocks, fossils and diamonds offers decent prices, and if you’re a rock fanatic (like me!), you’ll probably discover a few keepsakes. (Note this shop is only open Friday – Monday.)
If the weather is in your favor, walk the Yachats Commons Park (maybe even pack a picnic) and Gerdemann Botanic Preserve, a 3.5-acre collection of exotic plants and trees utilized for research. Just be sure to make an appointment before your visit!
If you’re feeling inclined to indoor activities, travel through the historic Little Log Church Museum and check out the Greenhouse Marketplace, a collection of art galleries in a business park on the 101.
The most prominent include Earthworks Gallery whose reputation precedes them as one of the best show locations on the coast, Touchstone Gallery, for Oregon artworks, and Wave Gallery for unique photographic exhibitions.
4. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
There are a variety of fantastic businesses to fulfill your sweet taste in Yachats.
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Topper’s Ice Cream & Candy: Homemade fudges and chocolates alongside scoops of ice cream and espresso shots for dessert
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Bread & Roses Bakery: A local favorite and not-so-secret hotspot. They are only open on weekends, Thursday – Sunday, and you’ll want to get there early to avoid the queues that ultimately develop out the door.
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Make sure to get one of their famed “celestial snail” tarts–a flaky pastry topped with fresh fruit and lemon curd–or “hippie bread” loaves before they sell out.
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Green Salmon Coffee Company: All vegan bakery and café with excellent pastries
Read Also: Must-Visit Destinations Near Portland
5. Enjoy Live Music And Seafood At Luna Sea Fish House
This informal town favorite is recognized for its scratch-made cuisine including only the freshest seafood. Sit down in the 18-seater café for a basket of fish and chips and catch some live music, or pick up a couple pounds of fresh fish to-go at the market. Check the whiteboard to discover which fish are caught locally by fishermen owner Robert Anthony.
6. Cheers With A Local Artisan Brew At Yachats Brewing + Farm Store
On a coast rich with artisan beers, Yachats Brewing and Farmhouse flies under the radar as an undervalued gem. What started as a little company has developed into a community mainstay.
The taproom has 30 taps with their award-winning beers and house-made probiotic drinks (Kombucha, Jun, and Kefir soda). With a menu focusing on farm-to-table meals and a welcoming setting (reclaimed furniture pieces and loads of plants!), this is a fantastic visit for both beer and food.
7. Trek Through The Forest On The New Ya’xaik Trail
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Distance: 1.5-mile circle trail Elevation: 190 feet
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Difficulty: Easy Trail comments on Alltrails
Surrounded by the towering pines of the Siuslaw National Forest, the Ya’Xaik (pronounced Yah-Hike in the original Alseas’ language) is a new route near Yachats off the side of Hwy 101. Begin at the trailhead behind the Fisterra Gardens apartment complex near the Gerdemann Botanic Preserve.
Alternatively, you can begin at the Smelt Sands Trailhard and walk part of the 804 Trail on the coast before branching off into the Ya’Xaik.
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