Yachats, Oregon Exploring Recommendations:
866-547-3696
92072 Highway 101 South
Yachats, OR 97498
http://hecetalighthouse.com/interpretive-center
Named for Don Bruno de Heceta, a Spanish explorer, Heceta Head lighthouse is about 12 miles south of Yachats and offers guided tours from knowledgeable docents during the summer months. Throughout the year personal tours may be arranged by appointment for individuals, educational groups. There is no charge for tours, however donations for restoration and interpretive projects are gladly accepted. Public parking is located at the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. A $5 fee per vehicle is required for the day use area.
800-551-6949
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_126.php
Benches set on a cliff above the beach give you an excellent view of Cumming Creek, wildlife and the rock-pounding waves. From this location, you can watch for whales, see a variety of birds, sea lions and the occasional deer in the creek. The creek is also a great place to look for agates. At low tide you can walk to the south to see a natural cave and tidepools. There is no fee to use this park.
541-547-3111
91560 Hwy 101 North
Florence, OR 97439
http://sealioncaves.com
The Sea Lion Caves is Americas largest sea cave and is located about 14 miles south of Yachats. It offers an awe-inspiring, intimate view of wild sea lions in their natural habitat. An elevator descends over 200-feet through solid rock to the cave below. The cave is the home of the wild stellar sea lion, primarily during the fall and winter months, and the area is host to all manner of other marine wildlife, birds and ocean mammals year-round. It offers a spectacular view (and photo opportunity) of the Hecta Head lighthouse as well.
$1.00 OFF General Admission Price. Click Here
800-551-6949
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_128.php
An excellent whale watching and photography viewpoint. Walk the historic 804 Trail (.75 miles one-way with resting benches scattered along the way). The park is known for tidepooling, rock fishing and the yearly smelt run (smelt are small, silvery relatives of salmon). Breathtaking sunsets. There is no fee to use this park.