British Columbia I don’t have much hope of exploring all the lighthouses of British Columbia, but here is a site to see or explore those sites: Washington Below are photos and links of the Lighthouses in Washington state, from north to south, around the Puget Sound/Salish Sea, and the Peninsula and Pacific coast. I haven't been to, or seen, all of them in person, but I'm still including them in the list, including links. Hope to see more in future.
Semiahomoo Harbor--Blaine WA, near the Canadian border. The lighthouse at Blaine WA was deactivated & torn down in 1944. Patos Island—Patos Island Marine State Park, off Orcas Island, northern San Juan Islands Turn Point/Prevost--next to Stuart Island Marine State Park, San Juan Islands WA Lime Kiln Point—Lime Kiln Point State Park, San Juan Island WA Across San Juan Island from Friday Harbor, I had hoped to see whales from here when I visited. But with limited time, and not knowing how wheelchair friendly the trails, I didn't try going solo all the way to the lighthouse. I did get a few photos of the park. The fourth link below has photos from that whole trip.
Cattle Point—south end of San Juan Island WA, near San Juan Island National Historical Park Burrows Island—Burrows Island Marine State Park, near Anacortes WA Only accessible by boat.
Smith Island--4 mi west of Whidbey Island WA (similar latitude to Oak Harbor) In 1989 the last remnants of the Smith Island Light Station fell off the western edge of the island. It was replaced with an automatic navigation light. Admiralty Head—Fort Casey Historical State Park, south end of Whidbey Island WA Bush Point—Whidbey Island, NW of Freeland WA, west across the water is Marrowstone Island Mukilteo--Mukilteo Lighthouse Park--609 Front St, Mukilteo, WA 98275 (next to Everett) It's no wonder this is a popular park, for the great amenities: beside the lighthouse, it has nice picnic facilities, playground & volleyball, restrooms, a beach with firepits, interpretive signs, the nearby ferry, train & transit stops, restaurants and accommodations, etc. Of course, I could not climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the lighthouse and the park. Parking can be paid by credit card, and that and the picnic and beach facilities are at a premium. I suggest going either early or evening. West Point—near Discovery Park, Ballard/Seattle WA Lightship Swiftsure—now in Historic Ships Warf at Lake Union Park, Seattle WA Alki Point—near Alki Beach Park--2665 Alki Ave SW, (West) Seattle, WA 98116 This is a very popular (often crowded) area, difficult to find parking even on a day with no events or sunshine. When I went in July 2023 it was during an art festival, and I couldn't find parking even up into the tight neighborhoods. But the skies were gloriously clear, so I could see the Olympic Mountains in the distance. When I was there in Aug 2024 the skies were overcast, but I could see more of the park. Point Robinson--3705 SW Pt Robinson Rd, Vashon, WA 98070 Located on Maury Island, connected to Vashon Island. Take the ferry from Seattle to Vashon Island, then drive to the lighthouse. Trails, picnic tables, rent the keeper’s quarters. Tours by appt. Brown’s Point—Browns Point Lighthouse Park, near Dash Point State Park, near Tacoma WA Such a delightful little park and keeper's cottage, which can be rented! One must travel through an industrial area, but persevere, and beyond that is the affluent (million dollar homes) community of Brown's Point, near Tacoma WA, west of Federal Way. Gig Harbor--7506 Goodman Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 (east side of the entrance to the harbor) I thought my best chance to see this little lighthouse would be from Old Ferry Landing or Skansie Brothers Park and Netshed, on the west side of the harbor.
Dofflemyer Point--Boston Harbor, north of Olympia WA On Google Maps I can hardly find the lighthouse. Boston Harbor is a marina from which, apparently, other folks have taken great photos of Mt Rainer and the Olympics from Boston Harbor.
Point No Point—9009 Point No Point Rd NE, Hansville WA 98340 Located in the Point No Point County Park near Port Gamble, north of Kingston WA on the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula.
A page from Washington State Visitors' Guide--2024-25 Skunk Bay--5844 NE Twin Spits Rd, Hansville, WA 98340; not far from Point No Point Lighthouse Privately owned, no public access. Marrowstone Point—616 Marrowstone Point Rd, north of Nordland, WA 98358 Drive through Fort Flagler Historical State Park to get to Marrowstone Point. Called USGS Marrowstone Marine Field Station on the map, USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, Marrowstone Marine Station on the sign as well as No Trespassing, Restricted Area. I got a photo of the lighthouse campus, at least. And I was so excited to get pics of distant Mt Baker & the North Cascades, beside dim views of the more distant Mt Rainier.
Point Wilson--105 Harbor Defense Way, Port Townsend WA 98368 Beyond Fort Worden Historical State Park--200 Battery Way E, Port Townsend WA 98368. Fort Worden has been repurposed for guests, tourists, museums, performance venues, meeting/conference/event venues, a branch of Peninsula College, etc. Photo of this lighthouse Aug 2022 at the top of this post. For much more info & photos of camping and amenities near Point Wilson Lighthouse, Fort Worden, & Port Townsend, scroll down at New Dungeness Lighthouse—near Sequim WA
Ediz Hook—Port Angeles WA One must drive right through the the McKinley Paper Co (1902 Marine Dr, Port Angeles WA 98363) to get onto Ediz Hook. There are a couple small parks on the hook, restrooms, a boat ramp, views of both the Olympic Mountains (when it's clear) and Vancouver Island (binoculars might be useful in scoping it out), the Port Angeles Pilot Station (to pilot ships to port), and the Coast Guard Station. If the Lighthouse is still there, it's part of the Coast Guard complex, which includes an air strip. Still, I thought it worth going. Slip Point--Clallam Bay Spit County Park, replaced 1951 by a beacon & fog signal on a 50’ tower Cape Flattery—west of Neah Bay, westernmost point of Washington Destruction Island—off-shore NW of Kalaloch WA More about the Pacific Coast, including Kalaloch at the 2nd link below. Grays Harbor—Westport Light State Park, west of Aberdeen WA Willapa Bay Lighthouse lost to shore erosion 1940 North Head—Cape Disappointment State Park, mouth of Columbia River, WA side More about Cape Disappointment State Park, the 2 lighthouses there, and the area at the 2nd link below. Cape Disappointment—Cape Disappointment State Park, mouth of Columbia River, WA side For more information about the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, see the 3rd link below. Oregon Willamette River--(1935 deactivated, 1955 destroyed by fire) A modern light operated by the Coast Guard is located off Kelly Point. Kelly Point Park
Warrior Rock—Sauvie Island, OR Boat from St Helens marina, or hike 3 mi from the northern tip of Sauvie Island. Owned by the Coast Guard, the grounds are open, but the tower closed. One may get a distant view from Dike Rd, west and south of Woodland WA. These photos are from Austin Point Park on Dike Rd, Woodland WA, Oct 2024. A better view might be had from the beach, but it's not drivable nor wheelchair accessible. Lightship Columbia WLV—docked at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria OR For more about the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the area, see 2nd link below. Point Adams—Ft Stevens, west of Astoria OR (1899 discontinued) In 1912 this lighthouse was burned down by the Lighthouse Service. It was located off Jetty Rd & Burma Rd, by Battery Russell. More about Ft Stevens at 2nd link below. Desdemona Sands—east of Columbia Beach (Jetty Rd), Warrenton or Hammond OR (demolished 1942) “The modern light that occupies the site is best seen by boat. The Fresnel lens used in Desdemona Sands lighthouse is on display at Mukilteo Lighthouse, and the station’s fog bell can be seen at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria. The modern tower is owned by the Coast Guard.” Tillamook Rock—between Seaside & Cannon Beach (light turned off in 1957); view from Ecola State Park
Cape Meares--3500 Cape Meares Loop, Tillamook, OR 97141; abt 10 mi NW of town This light is located in an Oregon State Park: the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint. It’s accessible, but a steep walk/roll down & back to the lighthouse itself from the parking lot. Several interpretive signs punctuate the way, as well as perch on the deck overlooking the ocean cliffs. There’s a great pavilion with pictures, maps, and information about both this and other Oregon lighthouses along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Fascinating.More about Tillamook OR at Yaquina Head--750 NW Lighthouse Dr, Newport, OR 97365 There's a great interpretive center on the way to the lighthouse.
Cleft of the Rock (Cape Perpetua)—south of Yachats WA “Cleft of the Rock Light is a privately owned lighthouse located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of Oregon, 1.8 miles south of Yachats on Cape Perpetua. It was built, in 1976, by former Tillamook Rock Light attendant and lighthouse historian James A. Gibbs who was active in preserving the lantern room of Smith Island Light.” (Wikipedia). Since it's on private land, photos must be taken with due caution from Hwy 101, the turnout near milepost 166, 1.8 miles south of Yachats. Gibbs was considered an authority, and has published works. I didn't see the lighthouse on my trip, but 2nd link below under Heceta Head includes Cape Perpetua. Heceta Head--—725 Summer St, (13 mi north of) Florence OR 97439 Such a picturesque place! Play at the beach, hike to the lighthouse, stay over or have a special event at the keeper's house, great views from a turn-out to the south . . .
Umpqua River--1020 Lighthouse Road, Winchester Bay, OR 97467 near Reedsport OR
Cape Arago—south of Charleston OR
Coquille River--Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon OR A small but interesting lighthouse. Can be accessed at the end of the road in Bullards Beach State Park (just north of Bandon) when open (see site to see when). Nice views from Bandon and the south jetty as well. Winter waves crashing the jetty make a good photo, but dress warm. Below are photos from different seasons and different years. I have visited Bandon several times; check them out on my Destinations page: Cape Blanco Lighthouse, only about 9 mi northwest of Port Orford OR, but apparently a 20 min drive I was anxious to see this lighthouse, but it was closed for a long time for COVID. It seemed like a long drive out to it, so I wondered if it would be worth it. Yes, most definitely it is! Take time to take a look at the history along the way, as well. California
Battery Point Lighthouse--parking at 235 Lighthouse Way, Crescent City, CA 95531
Parking & restrooms for visitors to the lighthouse are handy. B Street fishing pier is right there, as well as Beachfront Park (with a cool playground, among other things) all along the way between Battery St & Front St. Battery St also gives access to the beach. More about the area:
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Wheelchair WomanI've been in a wheelchair for 30+ years. It poses some challenges for traveling. Maybe others can benefit from my experiences. Archives
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