The Charm of Yachats
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| The tide pools at the rocky shore of Yachats |
Of those 207,232, only about a thousand can claim the beautiful town of Yachats, Oregon, as their city of residence.
Located near the southern border of Lincoln County, Yachats sits around 24 miles south of Newport and 25 miles north of Florence.
Part of the charm of Yachats comes from its location.
While the origin of the city's name is still up in the air, many believe the name "Yachats" comes from the Siletz language of the Tillamook tribe and means "dark water at the foot of the mountain." The Siletz meaning proves to be the most suitable, with the town tucked between forested hills and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
The prominent feature of Yachats is the estuary connecting the Yachats River to the sea. A large sand bar towards the south side of the estuary allows beachgoers to enjoy the ocean up close during low tide.
The estuary is a popular tourist destination since most of the city's shoreline consists of rocky cliffs. However, the rocky shore allows for the creation of many tide pools. These pools are abundant with ocean life, with visitors able to find starfish, crabs, and even the occasional octopus.
Another neat location for folks to check out is the Yachats Community Park. Located between 4th and 6th Street, the park features an urban forest with boardwalks and walking paths over ponds and wetlands.
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| The Airbnb my family stayed at in Yachats in 2022 |
The buildings of Yachats emulate the charm of the land.
Due to the low population, Yachats has no schools and no hospitals. The town's largest building is "The Adobe," a crescent-shaped oceanside resort. The resort opened in 1952 and has over 50 rooms that showcase the ocean with unobstructed views.
The homes of Yachats are some of the most peculiar-looking in the entire state. The westward faces of houses in the city have as many windows as humanly possible. It's almost impossible to go down Ocean View Drive without spotting someone peering through a window of their abode and gazing upon the sea.
The colors of the houses vary significantly, with some homeowners opting to paint their residences a lighter color (light yellow, sky blue, creamsicle) and others opting for a more modern approach (black, brown, white).
Almost every house in Yachats is uniquely shaped and contesting for every ounce of ground they can get. An aerial view of the city shows a cluttered collection of homes jampacked tightly on the edge of the land.
The charm of the city is also infectious.
Travel blogger Maria Belfort writes about Yachats in her blog "One Tiny Leap" and proclaims, "Yachats is located right in the center of the Oregon coast, making it an excellent stop-off point, but the chances are you'll want to extend your stay."
In her blog, Belfort praises the town's atmosphere and discusses nearby dining and entertainment options. However, Belfort is not alone in her sentiments.
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| Yachats as seen from the estuary |
When my family first visited Yachats in the spring of 2014, my mother fell in love with the place. She's always been a sucker for the beach, but something about the small coastal community of Yachats won her heart.
Following our first trip, my mother has tried every year since to put together a Memorial Day weekend family trip to the town. We've missed out on a few years (2016-18, 2023), but recent visits have ignited my admiration for Yachats.
Most of the activities we do now on our recent trips are the ones we did on our first stay at Yachats, such as enjoying the succulent seafood of Luna Sea Fish House or the delectable ice cream at Topper's.
Since my first visit, the town has changed. All towns do over time. The COVID-19 pandemic saw the shutdown of businesses, while recent population surveys have shown an increase in occupancy.
However, one thing about the city has stayed the same.
That's the charm of Yachats.
For more information on Yachats: https://www.yachatsoregon.org
At A Glance
Where: Yachats, Oregon
Population: 994 according to 2020 census, population has grown since
Activities: Estuary, Tide Pools, Shopping
Official Website: https://www.yachatsoregon.org
Best time to visit: During the summer
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