Yachats Rocks

Yachats is a quiet coastal village in the very most spectacular ten mile stretch of the Oregon Coast. In Yachats, the mountains, forest, and river literally meet the sea. The constant crashing of waves on the rocky shore creates white water and rising mist. Immediately north of Yachats a seven mile expanse of sandy beach contrasts magnificently with the rocky shore in town. No wonder Yachats is known as the Gem of the Oregon Coast.

The 630,000 acre Siuslaw National Forest surrounds Yachats on three sides. Immediately south of town is the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, a natural wonderland that includes old growth spruce, 26 miles of interconnecting trails, campgrounds, a visitor's center, and natural attractions such as Cook's Chasm, Devil's Churn, and tidepools. The lookout area, about 800 feet above sea level, provides stunning views of the forested coastline for 25 miles to the south and to the north.

Yachats retains the ambiance and charm of a coastal village. The small center of commercial, retail, and social life is adjacent to Highway 101 where the Yachats River flows into the bay. Residents enjoy a very active community life with lots of volunteering and community activities. The Yachats Commons is home to many community activities, including movies, big band music and dancing, a weekly farmer's market during the growing season, and many more. Some of the organizations fostering community involvement are the Friends of the Yachats Commons Foundation, Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program, Yachats Rural Health Clinic, View the Future Inc., Yachats Art Guild, Little Log Church and Museum, the Lions Club, the Ladies Club, and the Seal Rock Garden Club.

Opportunities for outdoor activities abound in the Yachats area: sightseeing, hiking, wildlife observation, photography, fishing, hunting, kite flying, surfing and many more. Several great restaurants in Yachats provide a range of dining options (some with nightly live music). Local shops and galleries offer a unique browsing and shopping experience. Golf is available in nearby Florence, Waldport, and Newport. Casinos are located in Florence and Lincoln City.

Yachats is home to festivals and gatherings, including, to name only a few, the Arts and Crafts Fair, the Mushroom Festival, as well as plays and musical performances. Every Fourth of July, the La-De-Da Parade provides an opportunity for citizens and groups to strut their stuff in a mildly wacky celebration of our blessings as Americans.

Even though Yachats has changed over time, one Yachats resident notes that "the essential beauty of the place seems to be permanent-the ocean with its changing moods, the wild storms and blissful sunshine, the backdrop of ridges covered with tall Douglas fir, spruce, and cedar. Every day brings appreciation for this natural beauty."