Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural area is – well, Outstanding!!
The coast of Oregon is known for whale watching but this month there is something special to view. Have you heard? There’s a total eclipse of the sun happening on August 21st and a fabulous place to observe it is the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Yaquina Head extends out from the Oregon coast, one mile into the Pacific Ocean. It’s directly on the path for optimal viewing! Be sure to wear protective eyewear if you are going to look at the eclipse. Your eyesight is precious – protect it!!
People come from all over the world to watch and learn about the gray whales that travel along the Oregon coast each year. You can see whales all year long although some months are better than others. In Summer and Fall, whales feed along the coast until mid-November. You won’t see hundreds of whales during this time but it’s possible to see between 5 and 15 whales every day!
Lighthouse lovers will be thrilled with this one! Standing 93 feet tall at the westernmost point of a basalt cliff, the lighthouse was first lit on August 20, 1873 and is a welcome beacon of the night, guiding ships along the coast.
Ocean explorers will have a field day with the thousands of tide pools that exist in the area! They are so interesting and beautiful. 
Be sure to visit the Interpretive Center where you can see exhibits on seabirds and marine life as well as human history from the headland. See the wheelhouse of a historic ship, check out a rocky island and its inhabitants, and see a full scale replica of the lighthouse lantern. All BLM exhibits and interpretive specialists deliver the rich history of Yaquina Head. Don’t miss it!
