About a half-hour drive due north of Seattle, the Mukilteo Light Station is a beguiling little structure that is extremely inviting despite its diminutive stature. While the grounds are open all year, the best time for a visit here is on weekends between April and September-when the lighthouse itself as well as a cozy exhibit hall and nifty gift shop are also open to the public.
Failed expectations are the last thing visitors experience at Cape Disappointment Light, in Washington's extreme southern realms near Ilwaco. The automated beacon has stood guard over some of the most hazardous shoreline in America since the mid-19th century; while the keeper's quarters are no longer active, the 50-foot tower is still a worth a stop for the photo ops and sweeping vistas of the Pacific and the Columbia River.
Farther south, on the Oregon coast, the Heceta Head lighthouse is simply enchanting. Not far from the inviting town of Florence, Heceta light is perched on a forested bluff, and offers a Bed and breakfast (in the former keeper's quarters) as well as a visitors' center-plus the brightest beacon light in the Beaver State.
Approximately half an hour down the coast you'll encounter the unique Umpqua River Lighthouse by Winchester Bay, Oregon. Still employing its original lens from 1894-a red and white beam that shines 24/7-the lighthouse is open for public tours and also boasts a whale-watching platform and some stupendous sand dunes nearby.
Only a few miles north of charming Mendocino, California, Point Cabrillo Light Station celebrated its centennial in 2009 and has been the beneficiary of some impressive restoration efforts. In addition to visiting the lighthouse, guests can also lodge at a comfortable inn and take in a bit of history at the Lightkeeper's Museum.
Several hours south awaits one of the most dramatically situated lighthouses on the planet, at Point Reyes National Seashore. Perched on a craggy cliff, visitors can reach the beacon by way of a lengthy elongated staircase, and an exhibit area and lens room make it worth the effort. Take note that all facilities are closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, however.
Next up on your journey southward comes Point Bonita, part of the spectacular Golden Gate Recreational Area, reachable by a slightly steep pathway approximately half a mile in length. The views are staggering and the still-active beacon is accessible to visitors, but keep in mind that visiting hours are limited to Saturday through Monday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Pigeon Point is one of the tallest beacons in the country, and has been protecting ships from maritime mayhem since 1872. While the lighthouse itself is no longer open to the public, a youth hostel provides cheap lodging (and an incredible setting of course) and the grounds can be explored casually on weekends. It's located just off Highway 1, approximately halfway between Half Moon Bay to the north and Santa Cruz to the south.
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse provides a panoramic vista of San Diego Bay and has recently renovated its interior to match its original era of the late 19th century. Displays and park ranger-led tours illustrate the beacon's intriguing history, and the site is open to the public daily.
