Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B Review: What It's Really Like to Sleep Beside a Working Lighthouse

My name is Mishana Sturdivant and I own Tad Bit Rad Travels. The purpose of this blog is to share tips, stories and recommendations to empower my readers to travel efficiently and unapologetically.

In this post I share my experience visiting Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast a boutique hotel located along the Oregon coast. Although this was a sponsored stay, I will share my honest opinion on my experience as solo traveler.

Enjoy!

Have you ever considered spending the night at a lighthouse? This hotel, nestled along the Oregon coast, offers one of the most distinctive experiences you could have in the Pacific Northwest. Heceta Head Lighthouse has a Bed and Breakfast that visitors can stay at for a more intimate experience with the lighthouse and its history. Though it may be a romantic getaway for most, I believe that it’s the perfect getaway for the curious solo traveler.

View from the Sea Lion Caves with Heceta Head Lighthouse in the distance.

Located in Yachats, Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast offers visitors easy access to some of the most iconic stops on the Oregon coast, such as Thor’s Well, Devil's Churn, and the Sea Lion Caves. I rented a car to explore the coast at my own pace. After a long day obsessing over the high tide waves crashing against the rocks, the serene sand beaches, and random sightings of wildlife, I returned to the pink and cozy Victorian room.

First Impressions

I felt right at home the moment I stepped in the door. Arriving really feels like you’ve walked into someone’s home. The B&B’s check-in is in the communal kitchen; it’s the first thing you see inside. I was immediately greeted by other B&B guests, which I later realized was because Heceta Head's B&B culture was warm and communal. It quickly rubs off on the guests who stay there. I arrived after the daily cheese-and-wine social, and the staff who were wrapping up still provided local cheese and wine and shared the history of the lightkeepers and their families with me. As I walked around the Bed and Breakfast, I stopped to look at all the artifacts collected throughout time from family members of the previous lightkeepers. There are record books, photo albums, uniforms, instruments, replicas of the ships that provided transit and cargo when there were no roads, history of the National Guard that was stationed there, and so much more. Visitors must sign the visitors log, which is cool because your visit is archived. You become a part of the Lighthouse’s history.  

How was the room?

Victoria’s room

I stayed in Victoria’s room. The room is elegantly decorated with its own private bathroom. The queen bed sits up high, and it’s comfortable to sleep in with the softest linen. The room doesn’t get the most natural light since the main window is on the side of the house, but you still get a view of the garden. The entire room is different shades of pink and fit for a queen. The room comes with all your necessities. The Bed and Breakfast has 5 rooms in total, each with a different theme, and can accommodate 15 people. The rooms vary by view. The Mariners Room 1 and 2 are in the front of the home with views of the Oregon coast. Queen Anne’s room is like Victoria’s room with a view of the garden. However, Queen Anne’s room is more romantic with a four-poster bed and European-style bathroom.  I appreciate that Heceta Head offers packages for charcuterie, champagne, and flowers to turn the romance up a notch. It’s such a thoughtful touch for visitors looking to get away. The only thing I wish were complimentary was water bottles for guests in their rooms, since the closest convenience store is a town over.

Service and Hospitality

While traveling solo, it’s very important to me to feel at home when visiting a new place. I want to feel safe, comfortable, and considered. Heceta Head Bed and Breakfast does a good job of that. I mentioned before how friendly and accommodating the staff was when I checked in. The Innkeepers were available to answer any questions and to offer local recommendations. The multi-course breakfast served each morning, featuring local ingredients, was delicious. Breakfast is communal and intimate. I enjoyed connecting with other guests while enjoying the food being served. Each morning, we got to meet the chef behind our meal. Solo travel doesn’t have to be alone, and I love that Heceta Head B&B offers multiple opportunities for visitors to connect. The volunteers tell the lighthouse’s history in their own way and make the daily wine-and-cheese social special.

The Main Attraction: Heceta Head Lighthouse

Visiting Heceta Head Lighthouse, minutes from the Bed and Breakfast

The cottage is a few steps from the Heceta Head Lighthouse trail, so it only takes a few minutes to visit the lighthouse. After a quick 5-minute walk, you arrive at the base of the lighthouse, where you can request a tour. During sunset, I recommend you continue up the trail past the lighthouse for a remarkable view. At sunset, the trail closes for visitors, but if you stay at Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, you have exclusive access. It’s popular to visit the lighthouse at night; the B&B provides flashlights. If you’ve never visited a lighthouse at night, it’s worth booking this stay for that experience alone.

All in all, I really enjoyed my time at Heceta Head Bed and Breakfast. Listed as one of the few Historic Hotels in the United States, it offers one of the most unique experiences down the Oregon Coast. As a solo traveler, I was able to be curious and adventurous and left Oregon feeling connected to the lighthouse’s legacy. I would recommend Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast to anyone.  Click the highlighted texts to book your future stay.