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,