Yachats, Oregon

Yachats is the southernmost city in Lincoln County. It is bounded by the Central Oregon Coast Range on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The city straddles the Yachats River and estuary. This unique small town has an interesting cultural mix of hikers following the Coastal Trail, bikers along Hwy 101 coastal route, tourists visiting the multiple nearby parks and wide variety of residents due to lack of zoning laws. One can purchase a lunch on the main street, walk two blocks to picnic tables on the coast and dine while listening to the waves crashing against massive rocks. The Yachats la de da Parade is held each July 4 at noon. It features anyone in town who wants to participate. Then, in the evening, a fireworks display is launched out over the ocean. The Yachats Music Festival brings 20 to 30 of the world's major classical musicians for four concerts throughout a weekend in July. Each October, Yachats is the site of the Yachats Village Mushroom Festival. During the first weekend of November, the city hosts the Yachats Celtic Music Festival. The Siuslaw National Forest borders Yachats on the east and consists of over 630,000 acres (2,500 km2). Yachats Ocean Road State Natural Site is located on the south side of the mouth of the Yachats River. It forms a 1-mile (1.6 km) long strip on the bank overlooking the river’s estuary and the ocean. Yachats State Recreation Area is a day use only park located on the north side of the mouth of the Yachats River. Smelt Sands State Recreation Site is a beach located on the northern edge of Yachats. At the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, the visitor center hosts Whale Watching Weeks in winter and in spring. About 400 gray whales feed along the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia in the summer. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the name Yachats comes from the Siletz language, and means "dark water at the foot of the mountain."