South to Florence
More wide sandy beaches can be found south of Yachats at (in order from north to south) Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site, Muriel O. Ponsler Memorial State Scenic Viewpoint, and Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park (tel. 541/547-3416). The latter offers 5 miles of beach, hiking trails, and a campground.
The next park to the south, Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, offers the most breathtaking setting. Situated on a small sandy cove, the park has a stream flowing across the beach and several haystack rocks just offshore. As the name implies, the park is home to Heceta Head Lighthouse (tel. 541/547-3416), the most photographed lighthouse on the Oregon coast. From May to September daily from 11am to 5pm and March, April, and October daily between 11am and 3pm, volunteers lead guided tours of the lighthouse. Heceta (pronounced "huh-see-tuh") Head is a rugged headland that's named for Spanish explorer Capt. Bruno Heceta. The old lighthouse keeper's home is now a bed-and-breakfast , that has an interpretive center. Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, there are free tours of the lighthouse keeper's house Thursday through Monday between noon and 5pm. There is a $3 day-use fee to use the park.
At more than 300 feet long and 120 feet high, Sea Lion Caves, 91560 U.S. 101 N. (tel. 541/547-3111; www.sealioncaves.com), 1 mile south of Heceta Head Lighthouse, is the largest sea cave in the United States. The cave was discovered in 1880, and since 1932 it has been one of the most popular stops along the Oregon coast. The cave and a nearby rock ledge are the only year-round mainland homes for Steller's sea lions, hundreds of which reside here throughout the year. This is the larger of the two species of sea lion that frequent this coast, and bulls can weigh almost a ton. The sea lions spend the day lounging and barking up a storm, and the bickering of the adults and antics of the pups are always entertaining. Although at any time of year you're likely to find quite a few of the sea lions here, it is during the fall and winter that the majority of the sea lions move into the cave. Today, a combination of stairs, pathways, and an elevator lead down from the bluff-top gift shop to a viewpoint in the cave wall. The best time to visit is late in the afternoon, when the sun shines directly into the cave and the crowds of people are smaller. Admission is $9 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children 6 to 12. The caves are open daily from 8am to 5:30pm.
Another 6 miles south is the Darlingtonia State Natural Site, a small botanical preserve protecting a bog full of rare Darlingtonia californica plants, insectivorous pitcher plants also known as cobra lilies. You'll find this fascinating preserve on Mercer Lake Road.
