Yachats: Gem of the Oregon Coast

A visit to the city of Yachats, located between Newport and Florence along the Oregon Coast, is an excellent choice any time of the year. From whale watching to fish fries arts and crafts and storm watching, Yachats offers guests fun and unique activities.

Gem of the Oregon Coast

Yachats, Oregon is called the “Gem of the Oregon Coast” for its ideal location along the Central Oregon Coast. Nestled below the towering Cape Perpetua, Yachats offers visitors both rocky and sand beaches to explore. The rocky shores create tidepools, where visitors find an abundance of sea creatures from sea stars, see urchins, fish, crabs, and more. Just offshore, whales, porpoise, and seals swim, viewable from the shoreline.

Events & Celebrations in Yachats

The Yachats Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center holds events in the city year-round. The chamber offers fun and uniquely celebrates for residents and visitors to enjoy. Some of these events include:

• Yachats Lions Annual Fish Fry – July 11
• Whale Watching – Available year-round
• Yachats la de da Parade, Festivities and Fireworks – July 4th
• Yachats Lions Annual Crab Feed, Yachats Commons – January
• Yachats Arts and Crafts Fair, Yachats Commons Auditorium – Spring Break late March
• Tidepool Discovery Days, Cape Perpetua Visitor Center – June through August

Whale Watching in Yachats

Whale watching is a popular activity along the Oregon Coast. “Whale Watching Spoken Here” signs can be seen during the Winter and Spring Breaks along the Oregon Coast. 28 sites from southern Washington to Northern California host whale watching volunteers ready to give watching advice and help spot whales during the mid-day hours. A volunteer can be found during Winter and Spring Breaks at Smelt Sands State Park in Yachats. Although the majority of gray whales make the long journey, a few hundred stays along the Oregon coast year-round, to feed. These whales are called “resident whales” and can be seen close to shore, along the coast.

Cape Perpetua – South of Yachats

Perhaps one of the most beautiful places for along the Central Oregon Coast is Cape Perpetua, located between Florence and Yachats. The Cape Perpetua State Park is situated amongst the old-growth below the towering cape. Hiking trails lead to the Giant Spruce, following the meandering stream or down to view the tide pools. A campground is a popular place throughout the summer months.

Cape Perpetua has been named the highest point along the Oregon Coast. Visitors can park at the top of the cape, offering magnificent views. Visitors hike the Saint Perpetua trail, a swayback trail rising from 100 – 800 feet to the top of the cape for great views up and down the coastline. During the gray whale migration along the coastline, visitors view the whales from atop the cape. By spotting the blows before they dive below, whale watchers follow gray whales as they travel by.

For more information on Yachats or events in the area, visit the Yachats Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.