California Lighthouses

North Coast (Crescent City and Eureka Area) Lighthouses
St. George Reef

1892 (George Ballantyne). Reactivated (inactive 1975-2002, now privately maintained and unofficial). 90 ft (27.5 m) square granite tower, incorporating keeper's house, mounted on a massive concrete and granite base; the total height is about 140 ft (43 m). Solar-powered lens; the original 1st order Fresnel lens is on display at the Del Norte County Museum. Anderson has a fine page for the lighthouse, the San Francisco Chronicle has a July 2000 article on the history and preservation of the light station, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The tower took 10 years to build and is considered the nation's most expensive lighthouse. Preservation efforts have been underway for more than a decade. In spring 2000, the lantern room was accidently destroyed when a helicopter carrying it ashore for restoration came in too low. A replica lantern built by Fashion Blacksmith of Crescent City was installed in April 2002, and the lighthouse was relit on October 19. Lighthouse Digest has a February 2006 feature on the ongoing restoration. Plans have been completed for an onshore visitor center. Located on a very exposed rock 3 miles (5 km) off Point St. George northwest of Crescent City. Accessible only by helicopter or by boat through very dangerous seas. Helicopter tours to the lighthouse are available ($170/person) October through June. Visible from Point St. George. Site and tower closed. Site manager: St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society. ARLHS USA-793; Admiralty G4418.

**** Battery Point (Crescent City) 1856. Reactivated (inactive 1965-1982, now privately maintained); focal plane 77 ft (23.5 m); white flash every 30 s. 45 ft (14 m) cylindrical brick tower on the roof of a 1-1/2 story granite keeper's house; 5th order Fresnel lens (installed 1953). The original 4th order Fresnel lens is on display at the lighthouse. Lighthouse painted white; roof and lantern are red. The oil house (1880) is also preserved. Marcel Marchon's photo appears at right, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, the historical society has a page for the lighthouse, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse, one of only three surviving from the original series of California lighthouses, houses a museum. Located on a small island just off the foot of A Street in downtown Crescent City. Accessible from shore on foot at low tide. Site open, museum and tower open in season. Owner: Del Norte County. Site manager: Del Norte County Historical Society. ARLHS USA-043; Admiralty G4417.5; USCG 6-0555. * Trinidad Head 1871. Active; focal plane 196 ft (60 m); white light occulted every 4 s. 25 ft (7.5 m) square pyramidal brick tower; 375 mm lens (1947). Lighthouse painted white; lantern and gallery painted black. Keeper's house replaced by modern Coast Guard housing in 1969. Original 4th order Fresnel lens transferred to Trinidad Memorial Light. Wood fog signal building (1900); active fog horn mounted on the outside of the building. This is the only historic fog signal building in California still active. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the station, Huelse has a postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. A giant wave, one of the highest ever recorded, struck the tower on December 31, 1914. Located high on a majestic bluff over the Pacific, beyond the end of Lighthouse Road on the southwest side of Trinidad. A short but challenging hiking trail leads to the top of the headland, from which the lighthouse can be seen. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-855; Admiralty G4408; USCG 6-0525.

Battery Point (Crescent City) Light, June 2005 Creative Commons photo by Marcel Marchon

* Trinidad Memorial

1949. Inactive. 20 ft (6 m) square masonry tower with lantern, painted white; lantern roof is red. This replica of Trinidad Head Light includes the original lantern and 4th order Fresnel lens. The fog bell from the Trinidad Head Light is hung beside the tower and rung daily at noon. Another excellent photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was built as a memorial to sailors lost at sea. In 2003, Native Americans of the Yurok tribe sued the city for removal or relocation of the lighthouse, on the grounds that the tribe owns the land on which it stands. Apparently nothing has come of this suit. Located in a park at the foot of Trinity Street, just off US 101 in Trinidad. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Town of Trinidad.

[Humboldt Harbor]

1856. Inactive since 1892. The lighthouse collapsed in 1933, but foundation ruins remain. The cupola from the top of the lantern was discovered on the beach in 1987 and is on display at the Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum, along with the original 4th order Fresnel lens. Formerly located on the North Spit of Humboldt Bay.

* Table Bluff (relocated tower)

1892. Inactive since 1961. 35 ft (10.5 m) square cylindrical wood tower, painted white with black trim; lantern and gallery painted black. The original 4th order Fresnel lens (1856; transferred from Humboldt Harbor Light) was sent to the Old Point Loma Light in 1953 but has been retrieved for display at the Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum. The keeper's house, formerly attached, was demolished in 1953. (The original lighthouse was a sibling of the Ballast Point Light in San Diego, which is also demolished.) Keith Whitfield has a 2008 photo, Indrums also has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Originally located on the South Spit near the entrance to Humboldt Bay; relocated 1987 to the end of Startare Drive on Woodley Island in Arcata Bay, just off the Samoa Bridge on CA 255 in Eureka. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District. Site manager: Woodley Island Marina. ARLHS USA-832.

[Table Bluff (original site)]

1892. Inactive since 1961. The lighthouse foundation remains on the original site, now owned by a developer. A 1-story wood fog signal and radio building survives on a neighboring parcel. Located at the end of Hookton Road, five miles west of US 101 north of Loleta. Site closed. Site manager: Gospel Outreach.

Cape Mendocino Area Lighthouses

* [Cape Mendocino (1) (replica)] 1950 replica of 1868 lighthouse. 43 ft (13 m) 16-sided pyramidal cast iron tower. The original 1st order Fresnel lens is mounted in the lantern. Tony Rocha has a 2007 closeup, Anderson has a photo showing the lens, and Google has a satellite view. The lens is lit nightly during the Humboldt County Fair, held annually for 10 days in mid-August. In 2008 the Coast Guard, noting that the lens may not be properly protected, was considering whether to require a more secure display or a transfer of the lens to another location. In early 2009 the city of Ferndale and the fair association were working on a plan to restore and safeguard the lens. Located at the main entrance to the Humboldt County Fairgrounds on Fifth St. in Ferndale. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Humboldt County Fair Association. [Cape Mendocino (2) (original site)] 1951. Active; focal plane 515 ft (157 m); white flash every 15 s. Light mounted on a steel pole. A photo is available showing a dual aerobeacon, but Anderson's 2005 photo shows a simpler light. The historic 1868 lighthouse was relocated in 1998 to Shelter Cove (see below and photo at right), and the original 1st order Fresnel lens was transferred to a replica in Ferndale (see above). The keeper's house has been demolished, but the oil house remains at the original site. Located on a towering cliff at the cape. Mattole Road (quite rugged and difficult) leads to the cape from Ferndale; 4-wheel drive is strongly recommended. The site is signed as closed, but it is not fenced. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-129H; USCG 6-0515. * Punta Gorda 1912. Inactive since 1951. 27 ft (8 m) square cylindrical concrete tower on the roof of rectangular concrete oil house. Building painted white, lantern black. The Keeper's house and all other station buildings except the lighthouse and oil house were demolished in the 1960s. The Coast Guard has a historic photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Members of a local volunteer fire department have helped maintain the lighthouse, and the state provided some assistance for restoration in 1989. Located in a wild area on Punta Gorda, about 12 miles (19 km) south of Cape Mendocino and 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Petrolia. Accessible by a 3-mile (5 km) hike or a guided mule ride along the coast from the end of Lighthouse Road. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Site manager: King Range National Conservation Area. ARLHS USA-679.

Cape Mendocino Light, Shelter Cove, April 2009 anonymous Creative Commons photo

* Cape Mendocino (1) (relocated to Shelter Cove)

1868. Inactive since 1951. 43 ft (13 m) 16-sided pyramidal cast iron tower. The original 1st order Fresnel lens is displayed in the replica of the lighthouse at the entrance to the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale. A photo appears above, Bob Indrums has a good photo, another closeup photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a good satellite view. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the lighthouse on station at the cape. In 1998 a helicopter lifted the tower and carried it to Shelter Cove, where the lighthouse was restored and rebuilt during 1999-2000. Located at Mel Coombs Park in Shelter Cove, near Point Delgado on the coast about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Redway. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Cape Mendocino Lighthouse Preservation Society. ARLHS USA-129.

Point Cabrillo, Arena, and Reyes Lighthouses

**** Point Cabrillo 1909. Active; focal plane 84 ft (25.5 m); white flash every 10 s. 47 ft (14.5 m) octagonal cylindrical wood tower on a 1-story wood fog signal building. The original 3rd order Fresnel lens was restored to use in 1999. Original 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. This is a complete light station, including two assistant keeper's houses (1908), oil house (1912), and other buildings. The North Coast Interpretive Association began an extensive restoration of the light station in 1996. Restoration was completed by the end of 2001. Matthew High's photo is at right, Anderson has an excellent page for the lighthouse, Dave Dunne has another fine photo, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. In May 2001, the California Coastal Conservancy sold the lighthouse and 300 surrounding acres to California State Parks for $4 million. These funds were transferred to the Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association to support continued restoration and operation of the light station. In 2004-05 an assistant keeper's house was restored and became a museum. The lighthouse was also painted in 2005. The principal keeper's house was opened for overnight stays in 2006. Located on a spectacular headland nearly surrounded by the ocean, at the end of Lighthouse Road, off CA 1 about 1 mile south of Caspar. For most visitors there is a 1/2 mile (800 m) walk from the parking area, but handicapped visitors can drive to the lighthouse. Site open, lighthouse open daily in the summer and on weekends March through October. Owner: California State Parks. Site manager: Point Cabrillo Light Station. ARLHS USA-619; Admiralty G4362; USCG 6-0450.

Sunset at Point Cabrillo Light, November 2007 Creative Commons photo by Matthew High

**** Point Arena

1908. Temporarily inactive; focal plane 155 ft (47 m); white flash every 15 s. 115 ft (35 m) cylindrical reinforced white concrete tower rising from a 1-story round workroom. Lantern painted black. The original 1st order Fresnel lens (transferred from the 1870 tower) is still in the lantern, but the active light is mounted on the gallery outside the lantern. Four modern keeper's dwellings (1960) are available as vacation lodging. The wood fog signal building (1896) is a museum. David Dasinger's photo appears above, Anderson has great photos and the history of the station, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a good satellite view. This lighthouse was the first reinforced concrete lighthouse built in the U.S. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the original lighthouse, which was a copy of the Pigeon Point Light (see below). It was demolished after being heavily damaged by the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. In September 2004, mercury was removed from the lantern room, clearing the way for restoration of the lens and tower. The light failed in 2008 and is scheduled for replacement during 2009. Located on a sharp, spectacular promontory at the end of Lighthouse Road, off CA 1 about 2 miles (3 km) north of the town of Point Arena. Site open, museum open daily, tower open to guided tours. Owner/site manager: Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Inc. ARLHS USA-611; Admiralty G4358; USCG 6-0420.

**** Point Reyes 1870. Inactive since 1975 (the light is lit briefly twice a month). 35 ft (10.5 m) 16-sided pyramidal cast iron tower (sibling of Cape Mendocino Light). Buildings painted white; roofs including the lantern roof are red. The original 1st order Fresnel lens is still mounted in the tower. The original keeper's house was demolished and replaced by modern dwellings in 1960. Wood fog signal building (1928). The active light (focal plane 265 ft (81 m); white flash every 5 s) is mounted on the roof of the garage adjoining the lighthouse. Vicki and Chuck Rogers's photo is at right, the park service has a web site on the light station's history, the San Francisco Chronicle has a 2000 feature on the lighthouse and its history, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. In 2003 the park service completed a major restoration including replacement of the walkway and stairs. In December 2004 the lens received much-needed repairs; a more complete restoration is planned. The Lighthouse Visitor Center offers exhibits and tours. Located on the westernmost point of the Point Reyes peninsula high above the Pacific (the original focal plane was 294 ft (90 m)). Accessible by a short but strenuous walk (with 308 stone stairs) from the parking area. However, the walkway is closed in high winds, which occur frequently. Site open, visitor center and tower open daily Thursday through Monday, guided tours mostly on weekends. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: U.S. National Park Service (Point Reyes National Seashore). ARLHS USA-636; Admiralty G4356; USCG 6-0385.

Point Reyes Light, September 2007 Creative Commons photo by Vicki and Chuck Rogers

San Francisco Bay Approach (Golden Gate) Lighthouses
Farallon Island

1855. Active; focal plane 358 ft (109 m); white flash every 15 s. 41 ft (12.5 m) brick tower, lantern removed; Vega VRB aerobeacon. Tower painted white. The original 1st order Fresnel lens is on display at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Museum on Fisherman's Wharf (the museum is presently closed for renovations; it will reopen in 2009). The original keeper's house was demolished in 1969; two 1876 assistant keeper's houses survive. Lighthouse Explorer has a photo, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo showing the former lantern. The San Francisco Chronicle has information on the history of the islands and the lighthouse. Located on the highest point of the island about 25 miles (40 km) west of the Golden Gate. The light is inconspicuous in a Google satellite view. The island is closed to the public as a bird sanctuary, but the lighthouse can be seen from Oceanic Society half-day cruises to observe wildlife in the area. Site and tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Farallon National Wildlife Refuge). ARLHS USA-281; Admiralty G4014; USCG 6-0355.

** Point Bonita (2) 1877 (station established 1855). Active; focal plane 140 ft (43 m); white light occulted every 4 s. 33 ft (10 m), hexagonal lantern mounted atop brick fog signal building. The original 2nd order Fresnel lens is still in use. Building painted white, lantern black. Fog horn sounds two blasts every 30 s when needed. The keeper's house has been demolished, but the original oil house (1877) and second brick fog signal building (1903) survive. In 1856 this was the site of the first fog signal on the West Coast, a cannon. The lantern and watch room were relocated from the 1855 lighthouse, making them among the oldest on the Pacific coast. Dana Smith's closeup photo is at right, Britten has some fine photos of this spectacular light station, Lighthouse Digest has an article on its history, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. In 2007 the Coast Guard was seeking to transfer ownership of this and four other area light stations to the National Park Service. Located on a spectacular rocky point at the north entrance to the Golden Gate, about 2 miles (3 km) west of the Golden Gate Bridge. Accessible by a hike of about 1 mile (1.5 km) from the parking area; the hike includes a tunnel and a suspension bridge. Site and lighthouse closed except during visiting hours Saturday, Sunday, and Monday afternoons. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: U.S. National Park Service (Golden Gate National Recreation Area). ARLHS USA-618; Admiralty G4052; USCG 6-0370. Mile Rocks 1906 (James A. McMahon). Active; focal plane 49 ft (15 m); white flash every 5 s. Circular 1-story steel building mounted on a massive stone caisson, painted with red and white horizontal bands; rotating aerobeacon. The original 3rd order Fresnel lens was moved to the Old Point Loma Light in San Diego (see below). Continuously operating fog horn (blast every 30 s). A photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The original light tower had four stories crowned by a lantern; the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Huelse has a postcard view. All of the tower except the first story was demolished in 1966, and a landing pad for helicopters was built on top of the surviving story. Located on a rock off Land's End at the south entrance to the Golden Gate, about 2 miles (3 km) southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge (US 101). There's a good view from Lincoln Park, San Francisco. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-496; Admiralty G4054; USCG 6-0365.

Point Bonita Light, August 2007 Creative Commons photo by Dana Smith

Point Diablo

1923. Active; focal plane 85 ft (26 m); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Navigation light mounted atop a square 1-story wood fog signal building. Building painted white. Continuously operating fog signal (blast every 15 s). Marinas.com has aerial photos,and Google has a satellite view. Keepers from Lime Point originally maintained this light. In 2007 the Coast Guard was seeking to transfer this and four other area light stations to the National Park Service. Located on a very steep headland halfway between Point Bonita and Lime Point, about 1.2 miles (2 km) west of the Golden Gate Bridge. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: U.S. National Park Service (Golden Gate National Recreation Area). ARLHS USA-974; Admiralty G4064; USCG 6-4250.

* Lime Point

1900. Inactive. 1-story brick fog signal building (1883) converted to a lighthouse in 1900 by mounting a navigation beacon on the wall of the station. The keeper's house was demolished in the 1960s. The active light (focal plane 15 ft (4.5 m); white flash every 5 s) is mounted on a post nearby. Fog horn (2 blasts every 30 s) when needed. The Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Google has a satellite view. In 2007 the Coast Guard was seeking to transfer this and four other area light stations to the National Park Service. Located adjacent to the north anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge. Accessible by a short hike from the Fort Baker parking lot of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-434; USCG 6-4270.

* Fort Point (3)

1864 (station established 1855). Inactive since 1934. 27 ft (8 m), 9-sided pyramidal cast iron skeletal tower, partially enclosed under the lantern, mounted on top of Fort Winfield Scott. Tower painted white, lantern black. Keeper's house demolished. The Coast Guard has a historic photo. Located directly beneath the south anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge; S.B. Fisher has a good photo of the lighthouse under the bridge, and Google has a satellite view. Site open (free), lighthouse closed. Owner: U.S. National Park Service. Site manager: Fort Point National Historic Site. ARLHS USA-295.

Alcatraz and Angel Island Lighthouses

* Alcatraz Island (2) 1909 (station established 1854). Active; focal plane 214 ft (65 m); white flash every 5 s. 84 ft (25.5 m) octagonal pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, unpainted; DCB-24 aerobeacon (1977). The original 4° Fresnel lens (1902, transferred from the earlier lighthouse) is in storage for future display. Fog horn (blast every 30 s when needed) in a white square building 175 yards (160 m) southeast of the lighthouse. A photo is at right, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This light station is the oldest on the U.S. West Coast; the Coast Guard has a drawing of the original lighthouse. The island is famous as the former site of a high-security federal prison (1933-1963). The keeper's house, formerly attached to the tower, was destroyed by fire in June 1970 while Native American protesters occupied the island. In 2007 the Coast Guard was seeking to transfer this and four other area light stations to the National Park Service. Located on an island about 3 miles (5 km) east of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay. Accessible by passenger ferry (toll) from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: U.S. National Park Service (Golden Gate National Recreation Area). ARLHS USA-003; Admiralty G4082; USCG 6-4315. Point Stuart 1915. Inactive. Light centered on the roof of a 1-story fog signal building. Anderson has a recent photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was maintained by keepers from Point Knox. The light, which marked the entrance to Raccoon Strait between Angel Island and the mainland, has been replaced by an offshore buoy. Located on the west side of Angel Island about 1/2 mi (800 m) north of Point Knox. Practically inaccessible (the light is on a platform halfway up a steep bluff) but it should be possible to view the light from above. Site and tower closed. Owner: California State Parks. Site manager: Angel Island State Park. ARLHS USA-1204. [Point Knox] 1900. Inactive since the 1960s. Established as a fog bell station in 1887; a post light was added in 1900. The buildings have been demolished, but remarkably the original fog bell remains, mounted in a sawhorse-style wood frame in the center of the foundation pad of the keeper's house. Located at the southwestern corner of Angel Island, below a sheer bluff; Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner: California State Parks. Site manager: Angel Island State Park.

Alcatraz Light, July 2007 anonymous Creative Commons photo

* Point Blunt (2)

1956 (station established 1915). Active; focal plane 60 ft (18 m); green flash every 5 s. Navigation light displayed from the roof of a square fog signal building. Fog horn (blast every 15 s when needed). The Coast Guard has a photo of an earlier light, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the southeastern point of Angel Island, off Tiburon in San Francisco Bay about 4 miles (6.5 km) northeast of the Golden Gate Bridge. Island accessible by ferries from Tiburon, San Francisco, Oakland, or Vallejo. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Angel Island State Park. ARLHS USA-617; Admiralty G4119; USCG 6-4335.

San Pablo Bay and San Joaquin River Lighthouses
** East Brother Island

1873. Active; focal plane 61 ft (18.5 m); white flash every 5 s. 48 ft (14.5 m) square pyramidal wood tower attached to a 2-story Victorian wood keeper's house; FA 251 lens. The house is gray-shingled with white trim; lantern and roofs are red. Fog signal (blast every 30 s) operates only October through March. Original wood fog signal building, assistant keeper's house, and other light station buildings. The light station was privately restored in 1979-80 and is now a bed and breakfast inn. A 4th order Fresnel lens of unknown origin is displayed in the fog signal building. Anderson has photos and a good historical account, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island just off Point San Pablo in the strait connecting San Pablo Bay to San Francisco Bay. Accessible by a short boat ride from Point San Pablo Yacht Basin, at the end of Richmond Lane in Richmond. Site and tower open. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: East Brother Light Station. ARLHS USA-258; Admiralty G4215; USCG 6-5865.

* [Carquinez Strait]

1910. Inactive since 1951. 2-1/2 story wood keeper's house; the light tower, formerly attached, has been removed. Indrums has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Originally located at the end of a pier in Carquinez Strait, which connects San Pablo Bay with Suisun Bay; restored and relocated about 1 mile (1.5 km) east to the Glen Cove Marina, off Glen Cove Parkway in Vallejo. Modern additions have altered the appearance of the building; the Coast Guard has a historic photo showing its original appearance. Site open. Owner: Western Water Ways, Inc. Site manager: Glen Cove Marina. ARLHS USA-142.

Southampton Shoals

1905. Inactive since 1960. Square wood tower with lantern on a 2-story Victorian keeper's house. The original 5th order Fresnel lens is on display at the Angel Island Interpretive Center. The lighthouse originally had 3 stories and was located on Southampton Shoals, northeast of Angel Island and southwest of Point Richmond in San Francisco Bay. The upper two stories were relocated to Tinsley Island in the San Joaquin River delta about 15 miles (25 km) northwest of Stockton, where the building is used as a yacht club. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the light on station, Marinas.com has aerial photos of the present location, and Google has a satellite view. Site and tower open by appointment. Owner/site manager: St. Francis Yacht Club. ARLHS USA-777.

Oakland Area Lighthouses

Yerba Buena Island (Goat Island)

1875. Active; focal plane 95 ft (29 m); white light occulted every 4 s. 25 ft (7.5 m) octagonal cylindrical wood tower; 5the order Fresnel lens (1886). Tower painted white with black trim; lantern roof is red. The 2-story Victorian wood keeper's house is the residence of the Coast Guard district commandant. Original brick fog signal building and oil house. Active fog horn (blast every 30 s) when needed. Indrums has a nice photo, the Coast Guard has a historic photo showing the entire light station, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southern tip of Yerba Buena Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. The island is crossed by I-80 between the two spans of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, but access is restricted. There are good views from the ferries between Oakland and San Francisco. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-908; Admiralty G4140; USCG 6-4595.

**** Lightship WLV-605 Relief 1951. Decommissioned 1975. 158 ft (48 m) 2-masted steel lightship. Hull painted red, superstructure white with gold trim, masts gold. C.W. Bash's photo is at right, Indrums also has a good photo, Anderson has a fine page for the ship, and Google has a satellite view. Built by Rice Brothers Shipyard in Boothbay, Maine, the ship served as the Overfalls off Cape Henlopen, Delaware, until 1960, then as Blunts off Cape Mendocino until 1969, when it became the relief lightship for the Pacific coast. After decommissionng the ship was donated to Olympia, Washington, but efforts to operate it as museum there failed. The vessel was sold into private ownership in 1979. After sailing it to California and maintaining it for seven years, the owner, Alan Hosking, donated the ship to the U.S. Lighthouse Society in late 1986. Docked in Oakland, it was carefully restored by USLHS volunteers. In 2002 the ship sailed under its own power to a new berth at Jack London Square in Oakland. Site open, ship open for tours Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Owner/site manager: U.S. Lighthouse Society. ARLHS USA-693. * Oakland Harbor (2) 1903 (station established 1890). Inactive since 1966. Short square cylindrical wood tower on the roof of a 2-story wood keeper's house. The lantern was transferred in 1966 to Santa Cruz Light. A 2007 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was originally located at the Oakland Harbor entrance; the Coast Guard has a historic photo of the lighthouse on station. In 1966 the lighthouse was sold for $1 and relocated six miles (10 km) south to 1951 Embarcadero Cove in Oakland, where it has served ever since as a restaurant. It was thoroughly renovated by its present owners in 1984. Owner/site manager: L.J. Quinns Lighthouse Restaurant & Pub. ARLHS USA-560.

Lightship Relief, July 2007 Creative Commons photo copyright C.W. Bash

San Mateo County Lighthouses
* Point Montara (3)

1881 (lighthouse relocated here in 1928; this station established in 1875). Active; focal plane 70 ft (21 m); white flash every 5 s. 30 ft (9 m) steel tower; FA 251 lens (1970). Lighthouse painted white, lantern and gallery black. The original 4th order Fresnel lens (1912, transferred from earlier tower) is on display at the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City. 2-story wood duplex keeper's house (1875) and wood fog signal building (1902). Indrums has a closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Point Montara was established as a fog signal station in 1875; a post light was added in 1900 and replaced by a wooden skeletal tower in 1912. The present lighthouse was built in 1881 at Mayo's Beach on the bay side of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Shipped to California as surplus after being deactivated in 1922, it was installed at Point Montara in 1928. (This long-forgotten history was rediscovered by lighthouse researchers in 2007 and reported by Colleen MacNaney in the June 2008 issue of Lighthouse Digest.) The light station has been restored by California State Parks and is used as a youth hostel operated by Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels. In 2007 the Coast Guard was seeking to transfer ownership of the lighthouse to the National Park Service. Located at the end of 16th Street just off CA 1 at the southern edge of Montara. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: California State Parks (Point Montara Light Station). ARLHS USA-629; Admiralty G4010; USCG 6-0335.

* Pigeon Point 1872. Temporarily inactive; focal plane 148 ft (45 m); white flash every 10 s. 115 ft (35 m) brick tower, painted white; lantern is black. The original 1st order Fresnel lens (1863, transferred from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina) is mounted in the tower but is not in use; the active light, a DCB-24 aerobeacon, is mounted on an extension of the gallery. Juan Bongiovanni's photo is at right, Anderson has a good page for the lighthouse, Lighthouse Digest has a January 2001 feature story, a 2008 photo is at right, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse, a shorter sibling of Bodie Island Light, North Carolina, is one of the best known and most photographed California lighthouses. The historic light station has been restored by California State Parks, and the modern Coast Guard buildings are used as a youth hostel operated by Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels. The adjacent property was saved from development by the Peninsula Open Space Trust in 2000; the Trust later bought 3/4 mile (1.2 km) of beachfront to protect the light station. In December 2001, a section of the cornice fell and the light tower was closed until engineers could evaluate its safety. As of mid 2008 it was still closed. In October 2002 the station was listed for transfer under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act; the trust and state parks developed a joint application for ownership. In March 2004 the National Park Service recommended approval of this application. Two nonprofit groups appealed the decision, but the light station was transferred to the state in May 2005. The California State Parks Foundation and the San Mateo Natural History Association have launched a campaign for $5 million to fund a complete restoration of the lighthouse. The aerobeacon failed in October 2008 and the backup light also failed in April 2009, but a new aerobeacon is to be installed later in 2009. Located on Pigeon Point Road just off CA 1 about 5 miles (8 km) south of Pescadero. Site open; tower closed. Owner: California State Parks. Site manager: Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park. ARLHS USA-599; Admiralty G4006; USCG 6-0320.

Pigeon Point Light, March 2009 Creative Commons photo by Juan Bongiovanni

[Año Nuevo (2)]

1890 (station established 1872). Inactive since 1948. The light tower, a square skeletal structure with enclosed watch room, was overturned in 1976 and lies across the beach. The keeper's house and other light station buildings are incorporated in a scientific research facility operated by the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of California at Santa Cruz. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the 1872 lighthouse and a second historic photo of the light station, Anderson has photos and its history, and Google has a satellite view. Año Nuevo is best known now for its large breeding population of elephant seals. Located on an rocky island just offshore about 8 miles (13 km) south of Pigeon Point on CA 1. Visitor center on the mainland open daily; during the winter breeding season there are guided tours of the island, for which reservations are required. Owner: California State Parks. Site manager: Año Nuevo State Natural Reserve. ARLHS USA-017.

Santa Cruz and Monterey County Lighthouses
*** Santa Cruz (3) (Mark Abbott Memorial)

1967 (station established 1869). Active; focal plane 60 ft (18 m); white flash every 5 s. 39 ft (12 m) square brick tower attached to a 1-story brick museum. The building is unpainted red brick; lantern and gallery painted white. The lantern and 5th order Fresnel lens (1890) were transferred from Oakland Harbor Light, but the badly deteriorated lantern was replaced in 1996. Anderson has a page with photos and a historical account, the city's Parks and Recreation Department has a web site with photos and panoramas, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse replaces an 1869 lighthouse that was sold and demolished in 1948 (foundation ruins of that building remain). The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the original lighthouse, and Huelse has a postcard view. The present building is a surfing museum built as a memorial to Mark Abbott, a surfer who drowned nearby in 1965. In December 2008, the Santa Cruz City Council voted to close the museum as a cost-saving measure, but it was rescued by contributions from supporters. The lighthouse may also be endangered by rapid erosion of the cliff on which it stands. Located on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, on Lighthouse Point overlooking Steamer Lane, a famous surfing site. Site open, museum open in the afternoons Thursday through Monday. Site manager: Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. ARLHS USA-1000; Admiralty G4001; USCG 6-0305.

* Santa Cruz West Breakwater (Walton Lighthouse) (4)

2001 (station established 1964). Active; focal plane 36 ft (11 m); green light occulting every 4 s. 42 ft (13 m) reinforced concrete tower with a copper-roofed lanternand a small gallery. Tower painted white with a green band. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). Anthony Solis has a photo with the Abbott lighthouse in the background, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Built with private donations and Coast Guard approval, this lighthouse replaced a series of minor aids to navigation. Charles Walton, a local businessman, contributed a significant part of the cost in memory of his late brother Derek Walton, a merchant seaman. The lighthouse originally had a red band, but the daymark was changed in March 2003 after boaters protested that a green beacon should not have a red daymark. Located at the end of a jetty on the west side of the marina entrance. Accessible by walking the breakwater, or there's a good view from Twin Lakes State Beach, 5th Avenue at East Cliff Drive. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-1001; Admiralty G4002; USCG 6-0300.

**** Point Pinos 1855 (Francis Kelly and Francis Gibbons). Active; focal plane 89 ft (27 m); white light occulted every 4 s. 43 ft (13 m) concrete tower rising from the roof of a 1-1/2 story stone Cape Cod keeper's house. Building painted white; lantern and gallery black; roof is red. The original 3rd order Fresnel lens has been in continuous use since 1855; the original eclipsor, a rotating opaque panel, is on display. Hugh Mason's photo is at the top of this page, Indrums has a good photo, Anderson has photos and the history of the light station, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The original stone light tower was replaced with a concrete tower after being damaged by the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. This is the oldest active lighthouse on the U.S. Pacific Coast, beautifully restored and maintained by the Pacific Grove Historical Society. The 150th anniversary of the station was celebrated in 2005. In August 2006, ownership of the lighthouse was transferred from the Coast Guard to the City of Pacific Grove. Located on Asilomar Avanue in the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course, at the entrance to Monterey Bay. Site and tower open Thursday through Monday afternoons (free). Owner: City of Pacific Grove. Site manager: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. ARLHS USA-634; Admiralty G3992; USCG 6-0290. ** Point Sur 1889. Active; focal plane 273 ft (83 m); white flash every 15 s. 48 ft (15 m) square cylindrical sandstone tower attached to a 1-story sandstone fog signal building; DCB-224 aerobeacon (1975). Building is unpainted stone; lantern and gallery painted black, lantern roof red. The original Barbier and Fenestre 1st order Fresnel lens is on display at the Monterey Maritime and History Museum. 2-1/2 story sandstone Romanesque keeper's house and many other light station buildings. Curtis Brown's photo is at right, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers manages restoration of the light station and provides guided tours of the site and buildings. International Chimney Corp. restored the lantern room during the winter of 2000-01; Lighthouse Digest has a feature article on this project. The barn and workshop buildings have also been restored, and a replica of the 1907 wood water tower conceals a cellphone relay station. In April 2004 the lighthouse was transferred to California State Parks under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. One of the most spectacular lighthouse sites in the country, located high atop a giant volcanic rock off CA 1 about 4 miles (6 km) northwest of Big Sur. Accessible by a hike of 1/2 mile (800 m) and 360 vertical feet (110 m) of climbing (several long flights of stairs). Site, light station, and tower open to guided tours on weekends all year and on Wednesdays during the summer. Owner: California State Parks. Site manager: Point Sur State Historic Park. ARLHS USA-639; Admiralty G3988; USCG 6-0280.

Point Sur Light, November 2007 Creative Commons photo by Curtis Brown

San Luis Obispo County Lighthouses
** Piedras Blancas

1879. Active; focal plane 142 ft (43 m); white flash every 10 s. 74 ft (22.5 m) brick tower (originally 115 ft (35 m)), painted white; rotating VRB-25 lens (2002). The lantern and the top of the tower were removed after being damaged by a storm in 1949; the light is displayed from the top of the capped tower. The original 1st order Fresnel lens was restored by the Lions Club of Cambria and is displayed on Main Street near the Pinedarado Grounds in Cambria by the Friends of Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. The historic principal keeper's house (1906) was relocated to Cambria and is used as a private residence. Brick fog signal building (1906), oil house, and several modern light station buildings. A U.S. Geological Survey biological research station and a sanctuary for elephant seals are located adjacent to the lighthouse. Indrums has a closeup photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The Coast Guard has a historic photo showing the original tower, and Huelse has a postcard view. In 1999 the rotating DCB-224 aerobeacon atop the tower failed. Unable to figure out how to repair it, the Coast Guard replaced it with a dimmer fixed lamp, leading to protests from preservationists. These protests led in 2002 to the installation of the VRB-25 beacon. In October 2001 the lighthouse was transferred from the Coast Guard to the Bureau of Land Management. BLM is planning to reconstruct the upper portion of the tower and the lantern and offers monthly guided tours under a cooperative arrangement with California State Parks. A final management plan, necessary before any restoration can be started, was published in late 2007. In 2008, the lighthouse and its surroundings were designated an Outstanding Natural Area. Located off CA 1 northwest of San Simeon. Site and tower generally closed except for guided tours on the third Saturday of each month. Owner/site manager: U.S. Bureau of Land Management (Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area). ARLHS USA-598; Admiralty G3982; USCG 6-0265.

San Luis Obispo (Port Harford, Point San Luis) 1890. Inactive since 1975. 40 ft (12 m) square cylindrical wood tower attached to a 2-story Victorian wood keeper's house. The original 4° Fresnel lens is on display at the San Luis Obispo County Library. Original wood fog signal building, oil house, and other light station buildings. The original keeper's house was replaced with a modern house in 1961. The active light is a pole light (focal plane 116 ft (35 m); white flash every 5 s, day and night). A 2008 photo appears at right, Anderson also has a nice page on the lighthouse, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Ownership of the station was transferred to the Port San Luis Harbor District in 1992. The Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers was formed to work for restoration of the light station; the 1960s-era assistant keepers house will become a maritime museum. In 2003 all the structures were painted and parts of the lighthouse were restored and furnished with period antiques. In January 2006, Pacific Gas and Electric, which controls access, signed an agreement to provide $1.5 million to make the light station more accessible, including funds for a shuttle van service to the site. As of early 2008, van service was expected to begin soon. Located on the western side of Point San Luis about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Avila Beach, surrounded by Pacific Gas and Electric's Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant reservation. Accessible by the Pecho Coast hiking trail; PG&E-guided hikes are available. The site is open to guided tours only, tower closed. Tours are available on Saturdays year round and on Wednesdays from mid May through October. Owner/site manager: Port San Luis Lighthouse. ARLHS USA-720; USCG 6-0225.

San Luis Obispo Light, March 2008 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Santa Barbara and Ventura County Lighthouses

[Point Arguello (3)]

1967 (station established 1901). Active; focal plane 100 ft (30.5 m); white flash every 15 s. 20 ft (6 m) post with gallery but no lantern; aerobeacon. Continuously operating fog horn (2 blasts every 20 s). The NOAA National Data Buoy Center operates an automated weather station on the site. The original lighthouse had a square cylindrical tower attached to a 1-story keeper's house. It was replaced in 1934 by a square pyramidal skeletal tower, which was in turn replaced by the present post light. Located on the point, a very sharp promontory just off the coast road; Google has a satellite view. Site and tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: U.S. Air Force (Vandenberg Air Force Base). ARLHS USA-612; Admiralty G3968; USCG 6-0210.

Point Conception (2)

1882 (station established 1856). Active; focal plane 133 ft (40.5 m); white flash every 30 s. 52 ft (16 m) stucco-clad brick tower attached to a 1-story brick fog signal building. The original 1st order Fresnel lens (1856, transferred from the earlier tower) was recently removed by the Coast Guard; the whereabouts of this priceless lens is unknown. Building painted white; roofs red. Continuously operating fog horn (blast every 30 s). 1-story Spanish style stucco keeper's house (1911), oil house (1907), and modern buildings. The Shanklins report on a rare visit to this lighthouse, Lighthouse Digest has an article with excellent photos, and Google has a good satellite view. One of the earliest California light stations. Located on the point marking the western entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel about 15 miles (25 km) south of Lompoc; a privately owned ranch surrounds the station. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-620; Admiralty G3964; USCG 6-0200.

* Santa Barbara (2) 1935 (station established 1856). Active; focal plane 142 ft (43 m); white flash every 10 s. 24 ft (7 m) pyramidal concrete tower without lantern. The aerobeacon lens used here from 1925 to 1977 is on display at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes (see below). Matthew Cohen has a closeup photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The Coast Guard has a photo of the original lighthouse, similar in design to the Point Pinos Light, which was demolished after being heavily damaged in the earthquake of June 1929. The modern light stands on the original site, now part of La Mesa Park. Located on Meigs Drive two blocks south of CA 225 in Santa Barbara. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department. ARLHS USA-736; Admiralty G3952; USCG 6-0195. ** Point Hueneme (Port Hueneme) (2) 1941 (station established 1874). Active; focal plane 52 ft (16 m); white flash every 5 s, except every sixth flash omitted. 48 ft (15 m) square cylindrical art moderne concrete tower mounted on concrete fog signal building. Building is unpainted white concrete; lantern and window woods are painted bright red. The historic 4th order Fresnel lens (1899, transferred from the earlier tower) remains in use. Fog horn (blast every 30 s) activated on radio request. Indrums has a photo, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a good satellite view. The name Hueneme is pronounced "Why-nee-mee".The earlier lighthouse (1874) was a copy of Point Fermin Light (see below). The lighthouse was restored by the Coast Guard in 1999. In July 2002, volunteers from the Coast Guard Auxiliary began offering tours. Located in a city equipment yard on the east side of the harbor entrance at Port Hueneme about 5 miles (8 km) south of Oxnard. Area accessible by a walking path from the Hueneme fishing pier; the walk to the lighthouse is about 1 mi (1.6 km) round trip. Site open, tower open for tours on the third Saturday of every month. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-693; Admiralty G3926; USCG 6-0190.

Point Hueneme Light, May 2009 Creative Commons photo by Tom Saint

* Anacapa Island (2)

1932 (station established 1912). Active; focal plane 277 ft (84.5 m); 2 white flashes every 60 s, separated by 15 s. 55 ft (17 m) cylindrical reinforced concrete tower. Continuously operating fog horn (blast every 15 s). The original 3rd order Fresnel lens is on display at the East Anacapa Visitor Center, housed in one of the light station's service buildings. This lighthouse is a shorter sibling of Point Vicente Light (next entry). 1-story Spanish revival keeper's house (1932), assistant keeper's house, and fog signal building. James Harrell has posted a virtual tour of the island, including the lighthouse, the Santa Cruz Foundation has a page on the history of the island and light station, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, Lighthouse Digest has an article by a former crew member, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on the eastern tip of the island about 15 miles (25 km) south southwest of Ventura. Anacapa is accessible by passenger ferry from Ventura. Site open, tower closed (visitors are not allowed near the lighthouse because of the continuously sounding fog signal). Owner: U.S. National Park Service. Site manager: Channel Islands National Park. ARLHS USA-012; Admiralty G3940; USCG 6-0185.

Los Angeles County Lighthouses
** Point Vicente

1926. Active; focal plane 185 ft (56 m); 2 white flashes every 20 s, separated by 5 s. 67 ft (20 m) cylindrical reinforced concrete tower, painted white. The original Barbier, Bernard and Turenne 3rd order Fresnel lens (1886, transferred from an Alaskan lighthouse) is still in use. The 2-story concrete Spanish revival keeper's house and additional buildings are used as Coast Guard housing. Fog horn (blast every 30 s when needed). This is a very well preserved light station. Steven Truong has a 2009 closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. A webcam usually shows the lighthouse. The site is popular for whale watching. Located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific on Palos Verdes Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes, near the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Site and tower open on the second Saturday of each month or to prearranged group tours; the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. Admiralty G3886; USCG 6-0170.

**** Point Fermin (1) 1874. Inactive since 1942. 30 ft (9 m) square cylindrical wood tower rising from 2-story wood Italianate Victorian keeper's house. The active light (focal plane 120 ft (36.5 m); white flash every 10 s) is mounted on a short pole. This lighthouse is a sibling of the East Brother Island Light (above) and the Hereford Inlet Light in New Jersey. The original lantern was removed in 1942, but a wood replica lantern was installed in 1974. In December 2006, Malibu realtor Louis T. Busch donated the original 4th order Fresnel lens to the society for display at the lighthouse. Building painted white with gray trim; lantern and gallery black. T. Hoffarth's photo is at right, Lighthouse Digest has a July 2006 article on the lighthouse, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Saved from demolition in 1972 and refurbished in 1972-74 by local preservationists, the lighthouse was then used for many years as the park superintendent's residence. In 2002 a $2.6 million project accomplished a complete restoration of the lighthouse. A new chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, the Point Fermin Lighthouse Society, supports the lighthouse and has opened it to visitors. Located on Paseo del Mar at the foot of Gaffey Street in San Pedro. Site open, lighthouse open afternoons except Mondays. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (Point Fermin Park). ARLHS USA-621; Admiralty G3794; USCG 6-0140.

Point Fermin Light, October 2008 Creative Commons photo by T. Hoffarth

Los Angeles Harbor (San Pedro Harbor; Angel's Gate)

1913. Active; focal plane 73 ft (22 m); green flash every 15 s. 69 ft (21 m) cylindrical steel and concrete tower rising from an octagonal concrete base, all on a concrete crib; DCB-24 aerobeacon. Lighthouse painted white with narrow vertical black stripes, lantern and gallery black; concrete base is white. Continuously operating fog horn (2 blasts every 30 s). The original 4th order clamshell Fresnel lens is on display at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in San Pedro. Indrums has a photo, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This is the only surviving lighthouse of its type. In 2008, members of the Los Angeles Yacht Club launched an effort to secure grant funds to restore the lighthouse. Located at the end of the San Pedro Harbor breakwater about 1/2 mile (800 m) east of Point Fermin. Accessible only by boat. Ferries to Santa Catalina pass the lighthouse while departing San Pedro. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-014; Admiralty G3799; USCG 6-0135.

Long Beach (2) (Robot Light)

1949. Active; focal plane 50 ft (15 m); white flash every 5 s. 42 ft (13 m) rectangular cylindrical concrete tower mounted on six cylindrical columns. Continuously operating fog horn (blast every 30 s). Genuinely ugly. Indrums has a good photo, the Coast Guard also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light replaced a square pyramidal skeletal tower of uncertain date. Located on the east end of the San Pedro Middle Breakwater east of the Los Angeles Harbor Light and at the entrance to Long Beach Harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-447; Admiralty G3797; USCG 6-0125.

* Long Beach Harbor (Lions Lighthouse for Sight)

2000. Active (privately maintained and unofficial); focal plane 105 ft (32 m). 65 ft (20 m) steel tower with harbor master's office in the base. Lighthouse painted white, gallery black, lantern red. A good photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a good satellite view. 40% of the funding for the lighthouse was raised by the Long Beach Downtown Lions Club, and the lighthouse is known as the Lions Lighthouse for Sight. The lighthouse was dedicated on 10 December 2000. Located just to the east of the Aquarium of the Pacific on the north side of the entrance to Long Beach harbor and the west side of the small boat basin. Owner/site manager: City of Long Beach.

* Parker's Lighthouse

1982. Active (?) (privately maintained); focal plane 71 ft (21.5 m); white flash every 10 s. Lantern centered at the peak of the roof on a round 2-1/2 story restaurant. The architects of the building have a portfolio of photos. Robert Lazo has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. The building was renovated in 1998-99. The light has been dropped from the 2009 Light List, so it may not be active. Located in Shoreline Village on the east side of the small boat basin, opposite the Long Beach Lions Light. Site and lighthouse open daily. Owner: Select Restaurants. Site manager: Parker's Lighthouse. ARLHS USA-1238; USCG 6-2925.

San Diego County Lighthouses

Camp Pendleton South

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 53 ft (16 m); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 50 ft (15 m) square cylindrical unpainted concrete control tower. No closeup photo available, but the tower can be seen near the beach in an aerial photo (click on the photo for enlargement), and Google has a good satellite view. This is the control tower for the U.S. Navy's West Coast LCAC Base [LCAC's (landing craft-air cushion) are hovercraft used in amphibious assaults]. Located just off the beach at the LCAC launching ramp about 8 mi (13 km) northwest of Oceanside. Site and tower closed; there may be a view from the San Diego Freeway (I-5). Owner: U.S. Navy. Site manager: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Admiralty G3732; USCG 6-0050.

**** Point Loma (1) (Old Point Loma) 1855. Inactive since 1891 (lit decoratively; the light source is offset from the center of the lens so the light is of no navigational value). 46 ft (14 m) cylindrical brick tower rising from the roof of 1-1/2 story sandstone keeper's house. The 3rd order Fresnel lens from the Miles Rocks Light, San Francisco, is mounted in the tower. Lighthouse painted white, lantern black. A photo is at right, Lighthouse Digest has a July 2005 article on the history of the lighthouse, Anderson has a great page, Mike Nelson has posted a virtual tour, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse had a focal plane of 462 ft (141 m), but this proved to be too high: the light was often obscured by low clouds or fog. In June 2003 the lighthouse was closed for six months while the station was restored to its 1880s appearance. The assistant keeper's house was reconstructed to serve as a visitor center and museum; the 3rd order Fresnel lens from the 1891 lighthouse and the 4th order Fresnel lens from the Ballast Point lighthouse are on display. Located at the end of CA 209 on Point Loma, at the western end of San Diego. Site open, tower open daily. Owner: U.S. National Park Service. Site manager: Cabrillo National Monument. ARLHS USA-627.

Old Point Loma Light, October 2007 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Point Loma (2) (New Point Loma)

1891. Active; focal plane 88 ft; white flash every 15 s. 70 ft (21 m) square pyramidal skeletal tower with central cylinder. Tower painted white, lantern and watch room black. The 2-story wood Spanish revival keeper's house, white with a red roof, is used as Coast Guard housing. Fog horn (blast every 30 s when needed) at base of the tower. Indrums has a good closeup photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The only surviving tower of its type on the Pacific Coast, this lighthouse is a sibling of Coney Island NY. In 2001, the Coast Guard had a engineering firm studying the condition and future of the lighthouse. In December 2002 the original 3rd order Fresnel lens was removed and stored for display at the older lighthouse (previous entry). Located at the southernmost tip of Point Loma, marking the entrance to San Diego's harbor. Site and tower closed, but lighthouse can be viewed from the parking area at Cabrillo National Monument. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-626; Admiralty G3676; USCG 6-0005.

* San Diego Entrance Range Rear (Shelter Island)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 55 ft (17 m); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 50 ft (15 m) square skeletal tower. The tower carries a rectangular slatted daymark painted red with a white vertical stripe. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the western end of Shelter Island on the north side of San Diego Bay. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty G3679.1; USCG 6-1505.

* Harbor Island (Tom Ham's Lighthouse)

1971. Active; focal plane 56 ft (17 m); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 50 ft (15 m) octagonal light tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story restaurant building. Sarah Biggart has a 2009 closeup photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Located at the west end of Harbor Island in downtown San Diego. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty G3702; USCG 6-1700.

Canyon Lake Lighthouse
Canyon Lake

1968. Active; focal plane 20 ft (6 m); flashing white light. 23 ft (7 m) round tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. The local Chamber of Commerce has a good photo, Jim Sneddon has a 2008 photo, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was built by the Corona Land Company as part of the original development of Canyon Lake, after the company's president, Gordon Heath, was inspired by the Brant Point Light on a visit to Nantucket, Massachusetts. Located on a small artificial island at the junction of the northern and eastern branches of the lake, in Riverside County about 8 km (5 mi) west of Lake Elsinore. Site access unknown (gated community). Owner/site manager: City of Canyon Lake.

Lake Havasu (Colorado River) Lighthouses
* Table Bluff Replica

2006. Active; amber flash every 1 s. Approx. 20 ft (6 m) square cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with gray trim to resemble the Table Bluff Light (see above); lantern roof is red. This is one of a series of lighthouse replicas built by members of the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club. It was the first to be built on the California side of the lake. Located on the breakwater on the north side of the entrance to the Havasu Landing Marina in Havasu Lake. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Havasu Landing Resort and Casino.

Mount Desert Rock Replica

2007. Active; green flash every 1 s. Approx. 20 ft (6 m) round concrete block tower with lantern and gallery. The tower is unpainted gray concrete; lantern painted black. Lake Havasu City has posted a closeup photo. The original Mount Desert Rock Light is on a small island off the coast of Maine. Located on Grass Island, just off the California side of the lake south of Havasu Island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.

Umpqua River Replica

2009. Active; green flash every 1 s. Approx. 26 ft (8 m) round concrete block tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof red. The original lighthouse is on the southern coast of Oregon. This is one of the more ambitious projects of the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club. Located on a steep slope south of Copper Canyon, about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Havasu Island, marking a significant narrowing of the lake. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.

Lake Tahoe Lighthouses
* [Sugar Pine Point (2)]

Date uncertain (station established 1921). Active? Post light with red and white diamond-shaped daybeacon. The original lighthouse was a wood pyramidal tower. This has been described as "the world's highest working lighthouse," but there are much higher lights on Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia. Note: this light is missing from the current U.S. Coast Guard Light List, so it may have been discontinued. Lake Tahoe is the only landlocked lake in the country with aids to navigation maintained by the Coast Guard. Located on a point on the west side of the lake, north of Rubicon Point. Owner: uncertain. Site manager: Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park. ARLHS USA-916.

Rubicon Point

1916. Only active for a few years (accounts of its history vary). 12 ft (3.5 m) square wood tower; no lantern. Looks like an outhouse. Located on the southwest shore of the lake at an elevation of about 6300 ft (1920 m). Believe it or not, this structure is said to have been built by the Coast Guard. The Tahoe Heritage Foundation is interested in restoring the structure. Site and tower open. Owner: California State Parks. Site manager: D.L. Bliss State Park. ARLHS USA-917.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

• Ballast Point (1890-1961), San Diego Harbor; ARLHS USA-033.
• Mare Island, (1873-1930s), San Francisco Bay; ARLHS USA-475.
• Roe Island (1891-1944), Suisun Bay; ARLHS USA-700.

Notable faux lighthouses:

• Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard
• Forbes Island (1992), afloat in San Francisco Bay, is not an aid to navigation, but visitors can climb to the gallery.
• Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, is lit decoratively at night but is not recognized as a navigational aid.
• Rusty's Pizza, Santa Barbara, is lit at night but is not an aid to navigation. Some people have the mistaken impression that this is the historic Santa Barbara lighthouse. It is not, but it does have an interesting display of lighthouse artifacts and is worth a visit by lighthouse fans.

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index

Checked and revised May 25, 2009. Lighthouses: 51. Lightships: 1. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.