California Lighthouses or Light Stations Photos and Information

lighthouses - museums

There are over 35 lighthouses or light stations in California.  Located along the Pacific Ocean on the California coast, they stretch from San Diego to northern border of California. Most are rebuilt or restored and some were recently constructed for decorative effects. While few, if any are utilized for navigation today, some continue to operate, shining light to sea.  Most are operated by local public entities such as parks, Coast Guards or local historical societies and a few offer tours. Several even operate hostels with accommodations.

The California Lighthouses and Light Stations provide shining examples of the advancement of technology. It's amazing to consider that many boat and ship wrecks occurred along the California coastline due to foggy conditions and lack of light stations.  Today most sailor, captains and seaworthy boats are equipped with navigational devices that utilize satellites to guide them safely through the ocean waters and to the harbors. The lighthouses really provide a glimpse into California's past. The are indeed, great museums for the study of California history.

One of the most visited and most popular lighthouses is the new Lighthouse at Point Loma. It sits perched upon a hill not far from the Cabrillo Monument statue that honors the establishment of the region by Spaniards.

ALCATRAZ ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE (1909) is located on Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay.
ANACAPA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE (1932) is located at the entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel.
BATTERY POINT (CRESCENT CITY) LIGHTHOUSE (1856) is located at Battery Point Island
CAPE MENDOCINO LIGHTHOUSE (1868) is relocated from the coast to Shelter Cove
CARQUINEZ STRAIT LIGHTHOUSE (1910) is relocated from the Carquinez Strait entrance
EAST BROTHER ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE (1874) is located off Point San Pablo at the San Francisco Bay
FARALLON ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE (1855) is located southeast of Farallon Island
FORT POINT LIGHTHOUSE (1864) is located in the San Francisco Harbor entrance
LIME POINT LIGHTHOUSE is located in the San Francisco Bay entrance
LONG BEACH LIGHTHOUSE (NEW) is located in Long Beach Harbor near Aquarium of the Pacific
LOS ANGELES HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE (1913) is located at the San Pedro Breakwater at Angels Gate
OAKLAND HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE (1903) is relocated from Oakland Harbor entrance
PIEDRAS BLANCAS LIGHTHOUSE (1879) is located at the northern entrance to the San Simeon Bay
PIGEON POINT LIGHTHOUSE (1872) is located at the southern approach to the San Francisco Bay
POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE (1908) is located 2 miles north of Point Arena
POINT BLUNT LIGHTHOUSE (1956) is located at Angel Island at the San Francisco Bay
POINT BONITA LIGHTHOUSE (1877) is located at Point Bonita at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay
POINT CABRILLO LIGHTHOUSE (1909) is located between Point Arena and Cape Mendocino
POINT CONCEPTION LIGHTHOUSE (1882) is located at the west entrance to Santa Barbara Channel
POINT FERMIN LIGHTHOUSE (1874) is located at Point Fermin at San Pedro Harbor
POINT HUENEME LIGHTHOUSE (1941) is located at the east entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel
POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE (NEW) (1891) is located at the southern end of Point Loma
POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE (OLD) (1855) is located at the southern end of Point Loma
POINT MONTARA LIGHTHOUSE (1928) is located at the southern approach to the San Francisco Bay
POINT PINOS LIGHTHOUSE (1855) at the south entrance to Monterey Bay is located at a golf course in Pacific Grove
POINT REYES LIGHTHOUSE (1870) is located at the Gulf of Farallones
POINT SUR LIGHTHOUSE (1889) is located at Morro Rock in the Big Sur District
POINT VICENTE LIGHTHOUSE (1926) is located at the north end of the Los Angeles Harbor in Palos Verdes
PUNTA GORDA LIGHTHOUSE (1912) is located 12 miles south of Cape Mendocino
SAN LUIS OBISPO (PORT HARFORD) LIGHTHOUSE (1890) is located in San Luis Bay
SANTA CRUZ  LIGHTHOUSE is located near the Santa Cruz Harbor and was built as Surfing Museum
SOUTHAMPTON SHOALS LIGHTHOUSE (1905) is relocated from San Francisco Harbor
ST. GEORGE REEF LIGHTHOUSE (1892) is 6 miles off Point St. George
TABLE BLUFF LIGHTHOUSE (1892) is relocated from Humboldt Harbor
TRINIDAD HEAD LIGHTHOUSE (1871) is located in Trinidad Harbor
YERBA BUENA ISLAND (GOAT ISLAND) LIGHTHOUSE (1875) is located on the Goat Island in San Francisco Bay