The BLT Guidebook

When’s the perfect time to visit the coast? Anytime! Back in January, we used our three-day weekend to visit a section of the Oregon coast we haven’t been to. Bracing for rain and landslides, we were pleasantly surprised with the perfect sunny temperatures.

You may remember my last post about Brookings to Bandon. This time, we started in Florence, an hour and a half north of Bandon.

Night 1: Florence, Oregon

You can get to Florence by taking Highway 138 W that connects I-5 to the coast. Highway 138 W is the western side of 138 E/ the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway that I mentioned in a recent post.

The highway eventually follows the Umpqua River, making it a peaceful drive. We passed the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area and a handful of local camping spots before reaching Florence.

Our hotel was right over the Siuslaw River Bridge and walking distance from Bay Street ~ Florence’s Old Town.

It was already late, but the shops were still open, so we peeked inside the ones that we could.

It was a busy Saturday night in Florence with long wait times and people hanging outside restaurants. We made a reservation at Waterfront Depot and then walked over to Homegrown Public House & Brewery while we waited since we couldn’t get in to eat until later that evening.

Day 1: Florence-Yachats (and the stops in between)

Before we left town, I wanted one more glimpse of old town and to find some local coffee at River Roasters.

Our next stops were Heceta Beach and the Sea Lion Caves.

We had no idea the Sea Lion Caves existed. We paid the money to go down into the cave, which is the height of a twelve-story building according to their website. It was worth the experience.

Once you pay to get in, you can also roam the paved trails on the outside of the building, which offer some great views.

Next we were in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and not sure where to go next, so we stopped at Devil’s Churn Day Use.

Devil’s Churn was created by the force of the ocean crashing against volcanic rock and has caused the opening to widen and sometimes the waves reach 200 ft high. This is a popular tourist spot in along Cape Perpetua.

Yachats was next. We could see why it is called the “gem” of the Oregon coast.

It was off season, so the famous bakery and some shops were closed, but it was busy everywhere else. We stopped in at Midtown Guitar Company, where the downstairs had guitars and the upstairs had vintage clothing.

Next we had a tasting at WildCraft Cider & Pantry then lunch at Green Salmon Coffee Company.

Night 2: Heceta Head

It was getting later, so we went south on the highway, halfway between Florence and Yachats. As part of a birthday gift to me, we were staying at the Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast.

Heceta Head Lighthouse is part of the Oregon State Parks system and open to the public. There are a few trails you can take to get there. If you stay in the b&b, you have access to the lighthouse and the trails after hours, including a night walk!

After we checked in, we explored the b&b and the grounds. There is a social hour with wine and cheeses if you are a guest there.

We went back into Yachats for dinner at The Drift Inn, picked up some snacks and did a night walk to the lighthouse. After that, we shared a bottle of wine and looked through the binders of history/ pictures of Heceta Head and the b&b. Some even included ghost stories!

Day 2: Heceta Head to Home

I woke up at sunrise the next morning, hoping to get some better pictures of the lighthouse. The morning was peaceful and I was the only one in the house who seemed to be awake.

After I had my morning adventure, I went back to pack up and wait for breakfast. The b&b is known for their 7-course breakfast. Yes, seven. It was worth waiting around for it.

We got back on the highway and drove back the way we came in, stopping briefly to look at the Umpqua Lighthouse in Winchester Bay and again at the elk in Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. Somewhere along the highway we stopped to fish on the way home, but I can’t remember the exact location.

~*~*~*~

Yachats was the perfect weekend getaway. What are your favorite coastal spots?

~C