Live and Work in a Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast Island
For anyone who ever dreamed of living in a lighthouse, and operating a bed and breakfast, your once in a lifetime opportunity is now. East Brother Island Light Station has 2 openings for the inn keeper position. Because the current inn keepers are retiring by the end of May.
East Brother Island Lighthouse is in the middle of San Francisco Bay, marking the entrance to San Pablo Bay. Built in 1873, the lamp started service in 1874, and was later automated in 1969. Not many lighthouses with live in facilities are left around the country.
The beautifully restored Victorian style bed and breakfast has 5 rooms and 3 bathrooms. So the job entails changing the sheets, cleaning the bathrooms, doing the laundry, taking out the garbage, and preparing all meals. Guests bookings are for up to 4 nights per week, so the inn keepers enjoy the rest of the week on their own.
Guest room rates are $355-$415 per night, which includes transportation and meals. Day visits are available on Saturdays (summer only) for $20 per person, up to 6 people on the boat. Visitors enjoy a 3.5 hours guided tour of the island.
There’s just one caveat, the island has no phone lines, no TV and no internet. Cell phone service is sporadic. Best for people who like isolated stays or romantic getaways. There’s a small garden with herbs to support meals. And civilization is just a 15 minute boat ride away.
Not too shabby, to get paid to enjoy majestic views of the bay. The main conditions for employment are having a boat captain license, to drive the boat to and from the island, and the ability to cook and prepare gourmet meals for up to 8 guests. Interested individuals should call EBLS at 510.233.2385.
Photo Credit: EBLS blog and Facebook, Video Credit: Bay Area Backroads, episode from 1985.
