A quiet alternative to larger coastal towns, Yachats is a magical spot for a cozy winter weekend. In winter, the Oregon Coast reveals its dark and mysterious side: storms on the horizon, turbulent seas, empty windswept beaches, and polka-dotted mushrooms in misty forests.
Located just 30 minutes south of Newport on the central coast, the village of Yachats is tucked into a rocky section of wave-battered, black basalt shoreline at the base of Cape Perpetua.
We recently spent a few days in Yachats and will definitely be back. Here’s our complete 2-day winter itinerary to inspire your next Yachats weekend getaway.
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🚗 Bus service is limited to this part of the Oregon Coast, so driving is the most convenient way to get to Yachats and see the sights once you’re there. See Transportation to the Oregon Coast for more information about bus travel or find a rental car at RentalCars.com.
Yachats was shrouded in mist and fog as we pulled into town and Yachats State Recreation Area is a great spot to watch the waves and take in the scenery when you first arrive (photo at top).
Yachats is a small town of roughly 1,000 people, with just a handful of local restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels. There are no big-box stores, malls, or mega hotels.
Ken Kesey, the counterculture leader of the Merry Pranksters and author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, bought an oceanfront writing cabin in Yachats in 1976. The family kept it for 50 years before recently selling.
Adobe Resort and Restaurant
The Adobe Resort sits on a bluff just north of Yachats, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Originally opening its doors in 1952, it was recently purchased by new owners and has seen some recent upgrades, including room renovations, lobby and restaurant improvements, and a new chef.
We had dinner at the Adobe Restaurant and Lounge, mere steps from the ocean. Outside, huge waves crashed on the shoreline as a storm rolled in.
After dinner, we checked right in to our room, which was ready and waiting.
The King Ocean View Whirlpool Room (check price) includes a cozy fireplace, spacious sitting area, and a whirlpool tub right in front of the large windows overlooking the splashing waves below. A coffee maker, refrigerator, and microwave are also available near the bathroom.
Here’s a quick video walkthrough of the room:
Day 2: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Thor's Well, Stone Shelter
For breakfast, we tried The Drift Inn, a classic restaurant and inn right in the center of town. The large menu includes omelets, crepes, benedicts, scrambles, and many options for different diets, all served in a cozy, quintessentially Oregon-coastal-folksy atmosphere.
Outdoor heated seating is available in the back patio garden, and we noticed they were baking their own bread. We ordered the Pacific Northwest scramble and the Smoked Salmon benedict and enjoyed both enough to come back for dinner. We’ll have to try the house-made baked goods and breakfast sweets next time (like French toast with Oregon marionberries).
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
About 3 miles south of Yachats, the steep headland of Cape Perpetua forms the highest point accessible by car on the entire Oregon Coast at 800 feet above sea level. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area includes 26 miles of trails, over 2,700 acres of coastal rainforest, and a rugged, black basalt coastline with waterspouts and deep wells.
Be sure to check tide tables and plan your visit at high tide to see the biggest waves.
Stone Shelter Trail at Cape Perpetua
From the visitor center, we headed back north on Highway 101 for a short minute and took the winding Cape Perpetua Lookout Road up to the old stone shelter and overlook. The structure was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was used as an observation post during World War II.
On a foggy day, you won’t be able to see far, but it’s still worth visiting just to walk through the misty forest and look down to the ocean below. On a clear day, you can enjoy the view and see up to 40 miles.
For dinner, we headed back to The Drift Inn for wood-fired pizza and some live music before calling it a day. By evening, the weather calmed down and we were treated to a gorgeous winter sunset.
Check-Out Day
On check-out day, we had breakfast and coffee in our room to take in the view one last time before leaving. Overall, we loved our stay in Yachats and would reserve the same room at the Adobe again.
Highlights of Our Room:
- Large king suite with plenty of space for two
- Jetted spa tub with ocean view
- Large windows with amazing views of the ocean and sunsets
- Microwave, Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator
- Comfortable king bed
- Cozy fireplace
- Clean and quiet (top floor), except for the sound of the waves
Other Places to Stay in Yachats
Here are a few of the other top hotel picks in Yachats:
- Overleaf Lodge and Spa (highly rated, higher price)
- Fireside Motel (budget and pet friendly)
For more Oregon Coast hotel recommendations, see:
Feel free to bookmark this itinerary so you can plan and customize your own trip to Yachats!
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