The 5 Most Beautiful California Lighthouses

The West Coast is perhaps the most famous coastline in the world, the subject of many books, movies, songs, and stories. California, also known as “The Golden State,” holds an equal draw as the most populated state in America. The lighthouses of California are commonly visited by both tourists and locals alike. If you’re planning on seeing these unique fixtures along the Pacific Ocean for yourself, read on to discover which to visit!

1. Old Point Loma Lighthouse

In 1851, the United States Coastal Survey commissioned the construction of San Diego’s Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Builders completed it in 1855 for a cost of $30,000. Standing 422 feet above sea level on the cliffs of Point Loma, this lighthouse served as the primary beacon for San Diego Bay for 36 years, guiding both harbor traffic and incoming coastal ships.

Ingenuity and Materials: Crafting a Lighthouse

To construct the lighthouse, builders harvested sandstone from the surrounding hills for its walls. Then, they repurposed detritus from Fort Guijarros, a decrepit Spanish fort, for the tiled floor. In 1855, they installed a third-order Fresnel lens from France, enabling the tower to project its beam clearly for 25 miles across the Pacific Ocean. At that time, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse held the distinction of being the fifth lighthouse to be lit on the west coast and the tallest lighthouse in America.

Challenges and Relocation: The Foggy Dilemma

Unfortunately, lighthouse keepers soon found that the lighthouse’s location made it prone to obscurity due to frequent thick fog and incoming clouds. On March 23rd, 1891, the city chose to retire the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The administration decided to build a new lighthouse just 100 yards south of the original location.

Decline and Restoration: A Monument Reborn

Throughout the 1900s, the lighthouse languished in various states of decay. During World War II, the United States Navy commandeered the structure, which later fell under the care of the National Park Service at the war’s end. Restoration efforts for the lighthouse began in the 1980s. They culminated with the reconstruction of the lighthouse keepers’ quarters in 2004.

A Living History: The Lighthouse Today

Today, visitors to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse encounter an extensively reconstructed 1800s version of the original lighthouse and grounds. The National Park Service offers a visitor center and ranger-led talks. Thus, it provides engaging insights into the history of this beautiful lighthouse above the bay.

2. Point Fermin Lighthouse 

The Point Fermin Lighthouse, located in San Pedro, stands out among west coast lighthouses. Its distinctive square tower rises from a two-story Victorian-style building, which was designed to comfortably accommodate a keeper and his family or guests.

Founding the Beacon: San Pedro’s First Lighthouse

Constructed in 1874 in San Pedro Bay, this lighthouse marked the first of its kind in the area. Builders crafted it in the Stick Style, prominently featuring decorative wooden fixtures both inside and outside the building. Most of the wood originated from California’s redwood forests, and the tower received a fitting with a Fresnel lens. After the completion of a 21-mile railroad connecting San Pedro Bay with Los Angeles in 1869, the local Lighthouse Board commissioned the lighthouse, and the United States Congress allocated $20,000 for its construction.

Modernization and World War II: The Light Goes Dark

In 1925, the installation of an electric-powered light extended the lighthouse’s reach, allowing its beam to shine 22 miles out over the ocean. However, with the onset of World War II in 1941, concerns about coastal attacks led the United States Army to temporarily decommission the lighthouse.

Revival and Preservation: A Community Effort

For many years after World War II, the Point Fermin Lighthouse remained largely inactive. In fact, soldier-operated radar took over its signaling duties. In 1974, volunteers rallied to rebuild the lantern and the gallery, preparing the premises for its centennial celebration that year.

A Living Legacy: Open to the Public

Today, the Point Fermin Lighthouse welcomes visitors with open arms. It is open to the public from 1-4 pm every Sunday with free admission. Guided tours commence every hour from 1-3 pm every day of the week, except for Monday. The Point Fermin Historical Society and the Point Fermin Lighthouse Society actively contribute to the maintenance of the premises, while the city of Los Angeles holds official ownership of this historic site.

3. Point Sur Lighthouse

Big Sur, renowned as one of the most breathtaking destinations on the west coast, captivates visitors with its expansive cliffsides overlooking pristine waters. Nestled within this picturesque setting, the Point Sur Lighthouse arose in August 1889, becoming a top attraction for those journeying along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Foundation on Volcanic Rock: A Strategic Decision

Builders positioned the Point Sur Lighthouse approximately 330 feet above sea level on volcanic rock, incurring a cost of $50,000. The initial commission for the lighthouse took place in 1874 in the Lighthouse Board’s annual report. The board identified a location midway between the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Piedras Blancas Lighthouse as the optimal spot for a new beacon.

Building to Last: Infrastructure for Keepers and Craftsmen

The lighthouse’s construction encompassed a three-story structure designed to accommodate up to three lighthouse keepers and their families. Another building was erected to house any additional staff. To ensure the residents’ well-being, given the area’s isolation before the Pacific Coast Highway’s completion in 1937, a building dedicated to carpentry and blacksmithing also came into existence.

A Legacy of Light: Illumination and Preservation

In 1889, after nearly two years of construction, the lighthouse showcased its first-order Fresnel lens for the first time on August 1st. Automation of the Point Sur Lighthouse happened in 1972, followed by its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Restoration and Renewal: A Beacon Reclaimed

The Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers, in partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, spearheaded restoration efforts to breathe new life into the lighthouse after a period of neglect. This extensive restoration concluded successfully in 2012.

Discover the History: Guided Tours for Enthusiasts

For those eager to delve into the lighthouse’s history and beauty, 3-hour walking tours are available every Wednesday at 1 pm and every Saturday and Sunday at 10 am.

4. Point Pinos Lighthouse

Point Pinos Lighthouse stands as the oldest operating lighthouse on the west coast. It gained its authorization as part of the initial six lighthouses proposed following California’s statehood achievement in 1850. Craftsmen mainly used stone and brick in its construction. Then, they perched the tower atop a one-and-a-half-story building to serve as the lighthouse keeper’s residence.

Construction and Unforeseen Change: A Strategic Location

In 1855, builders erected the lighthouse on a peninsula in Pacific Grove, Monterey. Although initial plans specified a second-order Fresnel lens, delays led to the installation of a third-order Fresnel lens, originally intended for Fort Point Lighthouse. This powerful lens projected a guiding beam 17 miles out over the sea and remained steadfast until the lighthouse’s automation in 1975.

A Light Ignites: Operational Beginning and Social Hub

The Point Pinos Lighthouse began its vigilant watch on February 1st, 1855, and embraced electrical power in 1919. In its early days, the lighthouse served dual purposes, both as a beacon for ships and a social center for the city. Renowned Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson immortalized both the lighthouse and its then-keeper, Allan Luce, in his novel “The Old Pacific Capital.”

Resilience and Reconstruction: Surviving a Tremor

On April 18th, 1906, an earthquake inflicted severe damage on both the tower and lantern room of the Point Pinos Lighthouse. Responding to this, builders partially reconstructed and fortified the tower using concrete.

A New Chapter: Preservation and Education

In 1975, the City of Pacific Grove, in collaboration with the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum, took ownership of the lighthouse. Today, rooms that once hosted the daily life of the keepers now serve as museum displays. They offer visitors a rich, informative journey into the history and significance of this cherished Pacific Grove landmark.

5. Point Reyes Lighthouse

Perched atop a cliff in the perilous and windy Point Reyes Headlands, the Point Reyes Lighthouse has long served as a critical guide for ships navigating to and from San Francisco Bay. Though called for in 1855, legal battles delayed the Lighthouse Board’s property acquisition for 15 years. During this period, 14 shipwrecks starkly underlined the need for a lighthouse along the Point Reyes National Seashore.

A Unique Design: Crafting the Tower

Distinct in design, the 37-foot iron tower, flaunting sixteen sides, houses a first-order Fresnel lens shipped from France. By December 1st, 1870, the lens was operational. Builders also carved a 300-step staircase into the cliffside, a path visitors still use today to reach the lighthouse.

Life at the Lighthouse: Accommodations for Keepers

Alongside the lighthouse, builders erected a two-story residence for lightkeepers. In 1885, they constructed two additional quarters to accommodate the keepers while they maintained the property. The lighthouse first received electricity in 1938, and in 1960, a new four-room apartment building replaced the original keepers’ quarters.

A New Era: Automation and Preservation

On June 12th, 1975, after 105 years of manual operation, automation arrived at the Point Reyes Lighthouse. The 82-acre property transitioned into the care of the National Park Service (NPS). Opening its doors to the public on August 15th, 1977, the NPS initiated a major restoration in 2003, spanning six months and costing $1.2 million.

Restoration and Reopening: A Renewed Beacon

From 2018 to 2019, an extensive renovation took place. With a budget of $5.7 million, the project refurbished the keepers’ quarters, repainted the lighthouse, and developed new exhibits. On November 8th, 2019, a revitalized Point Reyes Lighthouse once again welcomed visitors.

Summary of the 5 Most Beautiful California Lighthouses

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/haveseen