Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse echoes back to a time when sailing ships graced the Oregon Coast. Sitting high atop a bluff on the Yaquina River, this 1871 lighthouse is restored to working order and continues to aid mariners to this day. The light, 161 feet above sea level, shines whenever conditions demand it.

This is the only existing Oregon lighthouse with living quarters attached, and many believe it is the oldest building in Newport. It’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Public admission to the lighthouse is by donation, but it is closed on holidays. There are two flights of stairs to the watch room, but you cannot view the lantern room. However, you can watch a video about the lighthouse’s history in the basement of the building. Many lighthouses exist on the Oregon coast and they offer an interesting glimpse into maritime life on the Pacific Coast over the past century.