Heceta Head Lighthouse

Visit one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.

The breathtaking Heceta Head Lighthouse is 15 minutes north of Florence on the Central Oregon Coast, with sweeping views across an enchanting cove.

The trail to the lighthouse is an easy 10 minute walk from the carpark.  It's possible to visit Heceta Head Lighthouse any time of the year, and join a park ranger tour.

The Lighthouse Keeper's House is only a short distance from the lighthouse, and includes an Interpretive Center and romantic B&B with magnificent views of the ocean.  For a completely unique experience book a room at the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarter with a full gourmet breakfast, or consider staying at nearby Florence.

10 best things to do at Heceta Head Lighthouse

1. Walk the beautiful 1/2 mile trail up to the Heceta Head Lighthouse.

The trail starts at the parking lot overlooking Cape Cove, directly off Highway 101.

Continue up the hill, and look back down on the parking lot and Cape Cove.

2. Admire the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters on the way to the Heceta Head Lighthouse.

The trail continues past the stunning Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, now used as a B&B.

It was previously a duplex that housed the 1st and 2nd Assistant Lighthouse Keepers.

The Assistant Lighthouse Keepers Quarters on the right of the vintage photo is still standing, but the Head Lighthouse Keepers Quarters on the left was demolished in 1940.

3. Continue past the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters up the hill to the Heceta Head Lighthouse.

There are distant glimpses of the Heceta Head Lighthouse from the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, only 0.2 miles away.

It's only a few more minutes up the trail before you reach the lighthouse.

4. Do a tour of the Heceta Head Lighthouse.

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is perched on an 1,000 foot headland, 205 feet above sea level.  The lighthouse is 56 feet tall, and can be seen 21 miles out at sea, making it the strongest light on the Oregon Coast.  Tours are available year-round (check hours).

5. Savor beautiful views of historic Cape Creek Bridge, built in 1932 when the highway was constructed.

Prior to the construction of the Oregon Coast Highway in the 1930s, Heceta Head Lighthouse was in an extremely remote and difficult to reach location. The beautiful, arched Cape Creek Bridge is one of the many bridges built when the highway came through, and is one of the most photographed bridges on the Oregon Coast.

6. Look out at the Sea Lions Caves Visitor Center on the distant clifftop.

Can you see the white, clifftop building on the right of the photo? Follow the highway here to the Sea Lions Caves Visitor Center, where you can take an elevator down to a sea cave, and observe sea lions in the wild.

7. Stay overnight at the Lighthouse Keeper Quarters, and enjoy a yummy seven course breakfast. 

Choose from six different rooms at the Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, many with incredible ocean views.

Relax out on the patio with stunning views of the coast, or cosy up beside the parlor fire with a book.  Request a picnic basket full of crackers, fruit, chocolate, truffles, and cheese, and make your way down to the beach.

There's also a cheese and wine social each evening where you can meet other guests, sample a cheese plate from local creameries, and taste some of Oregon's most renowned wines. 

Top it all off with a fabulous night time walk up to the Heceta Head Lighthouse, then savor a delicious seven course breakfast the following morning.

The seven course breakfast lasts 1.5 hours, and guests staying consecutive nights can request different breakfasts.

This is the Queen Anne Room with a four poster bed.

Check out those incredible views from the room!

Some of the rooms also have private bathrooms, whereas others have European style shared bathrooms across the hallway.

8. Explore the glorious beach at Heceta Head. 

This breathtaking beach is known as Cape Cove.

Cape Creek flows beneath the bridge and out into the ocean.

9. Travel 1-mile south to this overlook on Highway 101, for amazing views of Heceta Head Lighthouse.

10. Don't forget to visit the Sea Lions Caves just 1.6 miles south of Heceta Heads, or Old Town at Florence, 12-miles south of Heceta Head.