Overleaf Lodge Review: A Family Friendly Getaway
Feeling overwhelmed trying to pick your perfect homebase for a family vacation to the Oregon Coast? Don’t worry, you don’t need to stress and research the perfect hotel! I’ll tell you everything you need to know about our favorite kid friendly hotel and cottages, the Overleaf Lodge and Spa in Yachats, Oregon. We first started staying at the Overleaf Lodge back in 2017 and it has been our go-to hotel destination on the Oregon Coast since then! I guarantee after I tell you about their amazing onsite cottages, its going to be your go-to Oregon Coast hotel destination too!
Where is the Overleaf Lodge and Spa Located?
The Overleaf Lodge is located in Yachats, Oregon, a sleepy town on the Northern Oregon Coast. If you are craving delicious restaurants, secluded hikes, and rugged coast lines then Yachats is absolutely the right homebase for you. And so is the Overleaf Lodge! You’ll be so grateful for this premium location, which is situated with fantastic beaches and hikes just a short drive to both the north and south.
How to get to the Overleaf Lodge and Spa?
The Overleaf Lodge is located just under three hours away from the Portland International airport, which means it’s a great destination even if you have to fly to Oregon. Don’t worry that the drive is too long, you’ll find you have plenty to do on the car ride. You’ll start by going through Oregon’s wine country which is the perfect spot for a picnic and wine tasting break. Then you’ll go through Corvallis which is home to Oregon State University. My kids loved running around the university to stretch their legs! Lastly, you’ll go through Newport. I highly recommend you stop and visit Rogue Brewery. The tour uses a miniature train which makes it very kid friendly.
Overleaf Lodge & Spa Amenities
Location, Location, Location
Our favorite amenity is the walking path right in front of the resort on the coast. The perfect way to wake up each morning is with a leisurely stroll along the rugged coast line. Kids will love the rocks overlooking the water that are perfect for climbing and exploring.
Picnics Made Easy
The guest shop at the Overleaf Lodge is so much fun. We always leave with more than we need, including a few great Yachats t-shirts. One of my favorite purchases is the pre-made picnics that the Overleaf Lodge and Spa offers to guests on the go. The picnics are perfect for a busy day hiking at Cape Perpetua.
For Mom and Dad
The Overleaf Lodge and Spa boasts a world class, you guessed it, SPA! The Overleaf Spa is located on the third floor so you have fantastic views from the oceanview soaking tubs. Guests of the hotel can use the soaking tubs, sauna, and steam rooms without a spa appointment and free of charge. Guests who book one of the cottages can book a spa service or a day pass to enjoy the spa. And I promise, you are going to want to spend some time relaxing at the spa!
Overleaf Lodge and Spa Accommodations
The Cottages
What drew us to the Overleaf Lodge initially was the amazing onsite cottages. They vary in size and are perfect for larger families or traveling with extended family. We made it a tradition to take my in-laws there and we’ve tried out all of the larger cottages at this point! The cottages are on the Overleaf’s property and managed by the resort but each cottage is unique. Some are a bit more polished than others and I recommend the A ‘Lul’ Quoy cottage for more discerning guests. It’s truly charming! Skookum, while larger and fantastic, is a bit more on the rugged side.
The cottages are in high demand due to their reasonable price and large space so make sure you book them in advance. I’d recommend 9-12 months to ensure you get the cottage of your choice.
The Hotel
If you are looking for a traditional hotel room, you are in luck! The Overleaf Lodge has those in addition to the amazing cottages. These are perfect for adult’s only getaways and small families (4 and under). I recommend the Whale Watcher rooms. My favorite configuration for families is the Queen/Queen with a picture window. You’ll have amazing sunset views from your room. Request room 306 for the highest floor available and the best view. For an adult’s only trip go with the Restless Waters Room which includes a King sized bed and a jetted tub sitting under the window so you can enjoy sunset while soaking.
Best Time of Year to Visit the Overleaf Lodge and Spa
Northern Oregon Coast temperatures aren’t exactly tropical so you need to plan your vacation accordingly. Or go on a spur of the moment trip when the weather is nice! Peak travel season to the Oregon Coast is between Memorial and Labor Day with most visitors to the coast going in July or August.
Yachats has a moodier vibe than other cities we’ve visited on the Oregon coast so I would recommend going later in the summer. Our favorite time of year to visit is late July or early August. You won’t be guaranteed sunny days, but the average highs will be 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to do in Yachats, Oregon?
Yachats is quite the sleepy town but it is an amazing jumping off point for so many fun Oregon Coast activities!
Tide Pools
The Overleaf Lodge is the perfect destination for tide pool hunting. One of our favorites is nearby Seal Rock, it’s just 17 minutes away! The highlights of Seal Rock is the ample parking, and get this…the official docents wandering the beach. While we were there a docent took us around to the individual tide pools, taught my children about the different marine life, and helped us find all of the different creatures. It was such a highlight and has become an experience we love to repeat on each visit!
Our other favorite tide pool near Yachats is Strawberry Hill, which is just 11 minutes away. Climbing around on the rocks provides endless entertainment – add marine life and you’ve got the perfect day! We love how easy to access Strawberry Hill is for young children.
Pro Tip: Make sure you check the tide charts before heading to a tide pool in Oregon. Low tide is the best time to see tide pools but for some beaches it is also the safest time to climb the rocks and be on the beach.
Find a Secret Beach
You may have heard of the Heceta Head Lighthouse, but did you know you can hike to Heceta Head Lighthouse? You can – but honestly that’s not even the best thing to do on the Northern Oregon Coast. Instead of hiking up to the Heceta Head Lighthouse, take the short flat trail to Hobbit Beach. It is hands down one of the most magical beaches we’ve ever been in our entire life. We spent an entire day there and saw a single family so this is a real hidden gem!
Go Hiking
There are so many great hikes on the Oregon Coast, its hard to pick favorites! One of the easiest ones from the Overleaf Lodge and Spa is the historic 804 Trail which is located right outside of the hotel along the coast. It’s the perfect trail for a sunrise stroll with your coffee. Another family favorite is the Ya’xaik Trail-Gerdemann Preserve Loop Hike is a gentle 2.1-mile hike through the beautiful coastal forest and the Gerdemann Botanical Preserve. It’s just across the road from the hotel so you are perfectly located at the Overleaf Lodge.
Eat Some Delicious Food
Given how small Yachats is you may be worried you won’t have anywhere to eat but you would be wrong! For a town that is more of a small city block, you’d be shocked by how many great restaurants there are. Our absolute favorite is Luna Sea Fish House. It’s charmingly casual with wooden picnic tables and a chill atmosphere that is perfect for families. For breakfast we love to head to Green Salmon Coffee Company. They have amazing breakfast sandwiches and wraps and a bevvy of interesting teas and coffees. We also love stopping by Bread & Roses in the morning for pastries and baked goods. Get there early and prepare to stand in a line – but I promise, it’s worth it! Their cinnamon rolls are out of this world.
Take a Little Road Trip
One of the best kid friendly activities on the Oregon Coast is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. You can rent sand boards from vendors along the street and then spend the day sand sledding. It’s such a unique experience and one that your kids are sure to enjoy! The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is 40 minutes away from the Overleaf Lodge near Florence, Oregon. Make a day of it and get lunch or dinner at Novelli’s Crab and Seafood. It’s delicious! And you can relax at the picnic tables looking over the river and eat.
Let’s Go!
I can’t stress enough how perfect Yachats, Oregon is for families looking to unwind, relax, and reconnect. You can spend some amazing quality time for your kids hunting for star fish in tidepools, pretending you are castaways on deserted beaches, and picking up freshly baked bread from the bakery. The Overleaf Lodge is truly the perfect homebase for an idyllic family vacation. If you are looking for a longer trip, consider staying in two Oregon Coast towns. This list of the 15 best will help you pick the perfect compliment to Yachats!
