This Overlooked City In Oregon Is A Coastal Haven Perfect For A Quiet Escape

Along Oregon's 363 miles of shore on the Pacific, you'll find an incredible pairing of quintessential beach towns and some of the world's most stunning beach scenery to help you recharge and reflect. Approximately halfway between the Columbia River and California, you'll find a town known as the "gem of the Oregon Coast," a quiet, low-key spot for an escape from everyday life where a river meets the sea. The small, charming town of Yachats (pronounced as Yah-hots) may not have the oceanside resorts or the tourist draws of the ultimate Oregon Coast experience; however, it's a beautiful location to kick back and soak in unmatched natural scenery and spot sea lions much of the year south of town.

The Oregon Coast was the traditional home of the Siuslaw and Alsea tribes before the Indigenous populations were largely wiped out by diseases before the mid-1800s. Settlers gradually trickled into the Yachats area in the 1880s and built a post office, calling it Ocean View, though it closed a few years later. Developers also made grand promises for Yachats, including a rail line and resorts, yet they never materialized. Yachats has remained a small and peaceful community since the 1920s, being home to just over 1,000 people a century later. A century ago, visitors had to drive on the beach to reach Yachats. 

Despite being off the beaten path, stunning Highway 101, one of the most scenic road trips on the West Coast, runs right through Yachats. If you're flying in, Eugene Airport (EUG) is less than two hours away and has flights across the West Coast. Portland International (PDX) is the closest major airport and is approximately three hours away. And if you're on the coast, hop on the South County NW Connector bus from Newport, running four times daily.

Whether it's watching the waves crash on shore or seeing the shoreline widen with each step on a trail through mossy forests, you'll find your quiet escape in Yachats. Start your excursion by driving south to the Cape Perpetua Overlook, where you will be perched 800 feet over the Oregon Coast and can take in the stunning views. If you'd rather walk to the overlook through lush forests, head to the south end of Yachats Ocean Road, where you'll find the trailhead for Amanda's Trail. This scenic path holds historic significance for Native Americans and memorializes their suffering from the decades before Yachats was settled. The current townsite was part of the former Coast Indian Reservation, where Native Americans were forcibly relocated on foot. The hike is roughly 6 miles round-trip and has gorgeous views of the coast and a history lesson. Be ready for cooler weather, and don't forget your rain jacket.

The Oregon Coast has no shortage of impressive sights displaying the power of the ocean. South of Yachats, park at the Cape Perpetua Visitors Center and enjoy a beautiful, roughly 2-mile round-trip hike down to the shore, where you'll likely see birds as you walk toward Devil's Churn — an 80-foot wide chasm. While you're nearby, don't miss visiting Cook's Chasm, where you'll find two jaw-dropping seaside gems along the Oregon Coast. The Spouting Horn blasts water onto the rocks, and Thor's Well, known as the "drainpipe of the Pacific," draws it roughly 20 feet down into a sea cave. If you venture over to get a photo, be careful and watch your step, especially around high tide due to potential rogue waves. Don't forget your $5 recreation pass for your vehicle, available on recreation.gov.

Visit Yachats and you'll find the quirky, funky beach town has a place, a meal, and an experience for every type of traveler. Within the small cottages and homey resorts that dot the town, travelers can experience a local side of Yachats. The city's first resort, the Adobe Motel, was built back in 1952, and is undergoing a remodel to take advantage of the hotel's location overlooking the ocean and direct connection to the Oregon Coast Trail. For a funky and uniquely local experience, the Drift Inn in the heart of Yachats has over a dozen rooms to suit your personality or mood. Airbnbs are another option, with prices starting at a few hundred dollars a night in the off-season for a weekend.

For a city of approximately 1,000 people, Yachats has a wide assortment of American food, including barbecue, pizza, a local brewery, and local coffee shops. So, grab a cold beer and sit out in front of Yachats Underground Pub & Grub and drink in the gorgeous scenery, or head up the road to Luna Sea Fish House for live music and fish freshly caught from the owner's boat. Another casual (though more expensive) option is Ona Restaurant & Lounge, serving a wide range of seafood as well as steak and burgers. If it's a pleasant afternoon or evening, reviewers recommend eating on the patio.

If you're visiting Yachats during the peak summer season, note that Highway 101 can get busy and traffic can bottleneck around towns and scenic attractions further north. Can't stand another taillight? Dip off and head to this secret beach only accessible by a trail.