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Visit Yachats, Oregon During Whale Season: Podcast Show Notes

Welcome to Experiences You Should Have, your how-to guide for amazing experiences.

I’m your host Gail and today we are exploring the Gem of the Oregon Coast, Yachats during whale season. Yachats is one of my favorite towns on the Oregon coast and is nestled between Newport and Florence, Oregon. It currently has a population of 757 people and if you drive too quickly, on highway 101, you might miss it, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you missed this amazingly quirky town.

There’s nothing like checking out top Oregon coast attractions like Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn in Yachats and also getting a peek of Spouting Horn during high tide.

There are pathways leading down to the ocean from the highway, and you really can’t go wrong if you pick one and continue walking through the fairyland forest. The Oregon coast is not like your typical beach. It’s lined with majestic cliffs, rocks, and forest that looks like it came straight out of a storybook. There’s something about staring out at the rough Oregon ocean and contemplating life.

After you’ve contemplated your past, present, and future, and gotten lost in the Oregon waves, if you’re there during whale season, you can scan a few waves in front of you for migrating grey whales. I was in Yachats during whale watching week (which was the last week in March) and asked Liz who was part of the Whale watching Spoken Here volunteer program through Oregon State Parks.

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

I kept on waiting and waiting to see a whale. You may see one, you may not, but if you do, it’s really exciting. Now you can see whales up and down the Oregon coast if you go at the right time. If you’re on the Oregon coast Mid December – Mid January or March – April you can see the Grey Whales Migration.

Why Visit Yachats, Oregon?

So you can see whales off of the Oregon coast, but why go to Yachats? There’s something magical about this little coastal town. It’s not the typical town that tourists flock to, but even though the population is around 700 people, you can truly experience the funkiness of the Oregon Coast. First off there is a grouping of galleries in Yachats selling amazing photos, pottery, jewelry, and amazing art.

My favorite coastal bar and restaurant is right there in Yachats, called the Drift Inn. When you walk in, there are multiple murals of mermaids.

Umbrellas and multi-colored glass lighting hang from the ceiling. And Every night from 6-8:30 there is live music. Just a few weeks ago, Randy McCoy and his family got up from their dinner and started harmonizing on stage. I stood there with my jaw open, as their music was amazingly perfect. Check out Randy McCoy’s Music, Here. 

 

Pretty cool for a small coastal town. There’s something about Yachats that brings the ocean to life as well as the Oregon coast culture. The people there are artists and you can feel warm energy when you’re there.

The only chain store that I saw was a Dollar General. Everything else is local. Luna Sea is bringing in crab and fish they caught that day. They have a local brewery serving up fermented foods and even Vegan fare. The Green Salmon Coffee Shop sells every coffee combination possible and offers a multitude of alternative milk, CBD coffee, and even boasts about the importance of mushrooms.

 

There’s art wherever you turn, and even a beautiful mural on the side of a local building. But if you were to road trip on Highway 101, and not stop in Yachats, you would be missing out on a magical experience. If you’re lucky, you might see a heart-shaped spout from a Grey whale passing by. It’s the simple things that matter, and sometimes you need to stare off into the ocean to give you clarity.

 

I always feel like I go back in time when staying on the coast, because we always end up playing cards, watch movies on VHS, walk into places and have real conversations and then there’s something about sitting by the Ocean that will mesmerize me into deep thoughts, that leave me happy as I bask in the sunshine or the rain… it is the Oregon coast after all.

 

How do you Get to Yachats?

The closest major airport is Portland (PDX), which is a 3-hour drive from Yachats. Alternatively, you could fly into Eugene, and then drive 1 hour 45 minutes west, then north.

 

Either way, you’ll need to rent a car.

 

Where to Stay in Yachats

If you’re a couple and want a romantic getaway, then check out the Overleaf Hotel. It’s right on the Oregon coast and they have amazing indoor soaking pools with an incredible view. Average cost per night is $200-$300. Next door is their sister property, The Fireside that is pet and family friendly, but it’s more of a motel than a luxury hotel. It does have amazing views as it’s next door to the Overleaf. Rooms run around $100 a night there.

 

If you don’t mind live music for 2 hours at night, then you can stay above the Drift Inn which runs around $100-$150 a night.

 

The Yachats Inn is also a fave, offering basic motel rooms for around $100 a night and suites with fireplaces and kitchens for $140 a night.

 

A Viewpoint that You Shouldn’t Miss in Yachats (My Favorite Thing to Do in Yachats)

 

There’s a fantastic viewpoint that you can’t miss on the Coast. Once you’re in Yachats, drive south as you curve around a corner or 2, be on the lookout for a Brown sign on the left saying Cape Perpetua Day Use/Campground.

 

Drive to the top and park. You will need to pay for a park pass ($5) or put up your Oregon Forest Pass up in your window or Golden Access Pass if you have one.

At the top look for a brown sign and follow the trail to the Rock Shelter. It’s not far, maybe a quarter mile. If you get there early (before 9 am), you should have it all to yourself, and this a fantastic place to soak up views.

 

If it’s lunchtime when you come down, stop by the Devil’s Churn lookout (you’ll need your pass again), and grab a tasty hot dog (with homemade sauerkraut), a sandwich, or a coffee. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Definitely walk down the trails in front of Devil’s Churn and please be aware of sneaker waves.

This is not the place to turn your back on the ocean for a selfie. Stay on the trail and keep your eyes on the ocean. Selfies can be deadly here, so please be careful when on the Oregon Coast. And I hope you drive down Highway 101 and experience the magic of Yachats.

 

Related Episode: Swim with Humpback Whales in the Dominican Republic