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We had heard so many fascinating stories about lighthouses along the scenic Oregon coast that we decided to make a road trip from San Francisco to visit one. Here’s what we did.
Breaking up a long drive
Ours was to be a considerable drive of 552 miles, estimated to take approximately 9-hours, so we decided to break our journey into two days.
The first thing we looked for was a convenient bed and breakfast along the route.
We contacted the Old Thyme Bed and Breakfast, 217 miles north of San Francisco in the town of Redding, which came recommended by a subscriber to our articles.
The inn is just minutes from Interstate 5, where we spent most of our driving time, and gave us the perfect break in our travel.
After a super slumber and a delicious breakfast, we were ready for the final leg of our adventure.
On the road again
Interstate 5 traffic continued to be light from Redding to Weed, California, and the scenery improved with each passing mile. The intermittent views of Mt. Shasta from I-5 were often breathtaking.
The most picturesque route to the central Oregon coast begins after leaving I-5 at exit 136 and connecting to Oregon state highway 138. Be sure to make the drive along 138 in the daylight, because you do not want to miss the panoramic blend of lush forests and verdant mountains.
We arrive
By mid-afternoon we were approaching the coastal town of Reedsport, Oregon. From there it’s a quick 20-minute drive along historic highway 101 north to the art-deco inspired Siuslaw River Bridge that spans the river running along the Florence waterfront.
It was a beautiful crisp day on the Oregon coast.
We took lunch at the Bridgewater Ocean Fresh Fish House in the quaint “Old Town,” section of Florence.
Our selections were fish and chips and fried oysters. Exceptionally fine sea food at reasonable prices.
The ambiance of Florence is “American Quaint,” and we were immediately comfortable with the town and our surroundings.
On to the lighthouse
One of the reasons we chose Florence for our base camp was its close proximity to the Heceta Lighthouse.
History
In 1891 President Benjamin Harrison reserved a coastal headland known as Heceta Head, in Lane County, Oregon, for the sole use of a lighthouse, which was subsequently constructed and dedicated three years later.
The lighthouse, boasts a 1.2 million candle power light — the most powerful on the Oregon coast. It can be seen from far out at sea, and also, from various points along Hwy 101.
The last keeper left when the giant light was automated in 1963. Thereafter, the keeper’s notably unique residence went vacant.
The Heceta lighthouse keeper’s dwelling was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Twenty-two year later in 1995, Lane County opened the building for tours and a six guestroom B&B.
We had the privilege of spending two nights in the Mariner II (the one we recommend) guestroom at the Heceta Lighthouse Keeper’s Bed and Breakfast.
Our room was one of three with an en suite bath. If you enjoy traveling back in time, this is a place you will not want to miss.
Painstakingly furnished with period antiques, the vintage Queen Ann style keeper’s house is a giant step back to the late 1800’s.
The house is reputed to be haunted, and the setting is perfect for the phenomenon, but alas, we did not see any ghosts.
The view from our room was inspiring. The windows were like a powerful lens through which our expectations of the beauty of the rugged Oregon coastline became a reality.
A stay at the Keeper’s home includes a house tour, lighthouse tour, wine and cheese social, and a gourmet breakfast. All worth the price of admission.
See the lighthouse in daylight and after dark
It’s a brief walk from the keeper’s house to the lighthouse atop the craggy knoll.
There is also a cliff trail that rises above the lighthouse.
The view from that vantage point invites your gaze over the shimmering ocean and the southern aspect of the Siuslaw National Forest and its rocky shoreline.
A flashlight is provided in every guestroom in the inn, along with encouragement to climb the easy trail after dark.
At night the lighthouse is showcased in the dramatic glow of its illuminated Fresnel lens, which tirelessly scans the sea under the gaze of a million stars.
Do not miss breakfast
Original innkeepers Mike and Carol Korgan are both certified executive chefs. They are retired now, but their daughter Michelle, and partner Stephen have upheld the tradition of fine dining at the house.
A seven-course day-opening meal awaits each guest. At this table, delicious food keeps coming until every guest is fully nourished and satisfied.
Accompanied by rousing coffees and teas, the multi-plate tapas style breakfast was a great way to start the day. The experience was further enhanced by the congeniality of our fellow guests.
Our recommendation
For those heading to Oregon and ready for an authentic 19th century lighthouse keeper’s experience accompanied by a gourmet-envy seven-course breakfast, we think you will enjoy the Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B. Learn more about it here.
Because this vintage B&Bs has very few guestrooms, be sure to make reservations several weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.
Happy travels!
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© Travels with Wayne and Judy Bayliff
Photos © Judy Bayliff
We arrived in Mendocino around 3pm and drove directly to the 
The appearance of wild turkeys next to the gravel parking lot was a nice touch, and a precursor to the unusual rustic luxuries we would find during our stay at the this AAA Four Diamond inn.
When we plan to write about a place we stay, we look for the little details that will help us define the property. In the case of the Brewery Gulch Inn there was an old wheel barrow near the inn’s entrance, and a seen-better-days motor boat in the side of the parking lot. Both these unusual accoutrements got us wondering about the inn’s reputation for richness, but any misgivings on first appearances vanished upon entering the building and experiencing the homey reception and the elegant, designed for living, Great Room.
We were greeted at check-in by owner/innkeeper Guy Pacurar. Guy purchased the inn in 2007 to fill a “Bob Newhart” fantasy. Guy is a congenial host and the go-to-guy for information about Mendocino and the Brewery Gulch Inn.
The Great Room is the focal point of the Brewery Gulch Inn. At its center is a magnificent four-sided steel and glass fireplace enshrined in a room of towering wood and 13-foot high redwood French doors.
The doors open to a spacious deck with sweeping views overlooking the ever-changing Pacific and Smuggler’s Cove. This is an architectural design perfectly suited to its setting.
Add a measure of overstuffed leather chairs and 1930’s style oak dining tables, and you have the makings of the ideal gathering and dining room.
Climbing the stairs to our second floor guestroom, we noted the inn was much larger than we anticipated. You can choose from eleven sleeping rooms to suit your taste along with an unattached cottage.
All the rooms and suites elegantly avoid being trendy or too thematic. All are finely appointed with a warm touch of appropriate place and kind furnishings.
Tuscan Ragout of Beef in a Deep Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
We finished off with a delectable Cinnamon Banana Brioche Bread Pudding
It was a crisp morning and perfect for exploring the many sites of Mendocino. After walking around town and checking out the boutiques and shops, we headed for the 
Still working off our hearty breakfast, we were grateful for the opportunity to walk the half-mile from the parking lot to the Light Station.
The clean salt air was brisk and the walk invigorating.
We chatted with the light station attendant in the museum/gift shop, and spent a good part of our sunny afternoon walking along the headlands and gazing out over the vast Pacific. On our day, we saw hundreds of whale spout sightings far off in the distance.
Returning to the inn just in time for some complimentary wine — and an opportunity to rest our weary feet — we settled into two of the easy chairs on the inn’s deck overlooking Smuggler’s Cove.
Time passed quickly, and it was once again the hour for another of the inn’s extraordinary “light” buffets.
If it all looks good, it was! A perfect ending to a wonderful day.
Light streamed through the tall glass windows illuminating the rich interior of the Great Room with its period oak tables and upholstered furniture.
On this morning we had our choice of a crab and avocado omelet,
or cheesy eggs, and blueberry pancakes – both of which were mouth-watering delicious. They also served “Millionaire’s Bacon,” which is a thick slice of lean bacon seasoned with hot peppers. Actually, not our cup of tea, but other guests raved about it.
Even in winter, the Mendocino Gardens are worth a visit.
There are ample species of flowers to enjoy, and the trails to the ocean are a terrific way to pass a sunlit afternoon.
Be sure to take along your best buddies, because the gardens are pet friendly.
It took us several minutes to walk to the ocean where we sat and once again watched the distant whales frolicking on their way to the warm waters of Mexico.
Because these were 
Dining at The Little River Inn restaurant is comfortably elegant. The atmosphere and service were outstanding, and the menu was designed to reflect the location. We found the menu choices to be sophisticated, yet approachable.
Our starter was a Dungeness Crab Cocktail with home-made cocktail sauce, celery, and crackers. There’s nothing quite like the delicate taste of chilled and fresh Dungeness crab to excite and delight the palate.
We next tried the inn’s award winning Crab Cakes. We can’t describe what makes these crab cakes best in class, but we can report that they were definitely some of the best crab cakes we have tasted anywhere in the world. If you go, do not miss this delicious delicacy!
Keeping with the symphony of flavors, our next foray into Crab Days was the Dungeness Crab Pot Pie baked under a flaky crust and teeming with leeks, celery, onions, potatoes, and sweet peas. Exquisite!
Everything crab was topped off with an Olallieberry Cobbler,
and a Hot Fudge Sundae.
One of the activities they recommend is the 2.25 mile hike to Russian Gulch Falls. We did it and it is spectacular. Be sure to put it on your list.
In 2016 the Mendocino Crab, Wine and Beer Days will be held on January 29 and 30.
Happy travels!
The Province of Québec, Canada has so much to offer the global tourist that we found the best way to present the many vacation options was to separate them into several categories; this story zeroes in on just one of Québec’s major attractions – lighthouses.
TheNationalMotorist.com 