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Here follows a (hopefully) complete list of California lighthouses, modern and historic. If you want a complete list of all navigational beacons, this is not it, the US Coast Guard has a lovely list they update on a regular basis. This information is a compilation of my experiences and photos of California lighthouses, your mileage may vary, specifically I do not guarantee that you can walk or drive anywhere in the same time as I did, or that my directions are as clear as you would like. Please consider this information tourist information and do not attempt to use it while navigating a boat. I am not a sailor. If you need sailing information, obtain it from the coast guard or another reputable source.
Saint George reef lighthouse is located on a rock about three miles outside Crescent City. From time to time helicopter tours are available from the local preservation group, that seems to be the only practical way to visit the lighthouse, although I have heard that it can be seen from the mainland.
41 ° 44' 36" N 124 ° 12' 6" W
41 ° 3' 6" N 124 ° 9' 5" W Still in operation, located on a Coast Guard Base.
More information and pictures.
This lighthouse was relocated to the harbor in Eureka and the interior is closed to the public. You can go look in the window if you want, but there is not much to see.
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Originally at 40 ° 26' 23" N 124 ° 24' 22" W Relocated to Shelter Cove, it is in good condition and may even be toured during the summer (variable hours) Made of metal plates bolted together.
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At or near 40 ° 14' 54" N 124 ° 22' 13" W Only ruins remain of this lighthouse, and those are almost inaccessible. A six mile hike on beaches to reach the site, inquire locally for conditions and tide information prior to attempting the hike.
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39 ° 20' 54" N 123 ° 49' 33" W Close to civilization and on a nature preserve, this lighthouse is open year round and has restored keepers quarters and a small museum.
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38 ° 57' 17" N 123 ° 44' 26" W Open year-round, museum, tours of the light, and one of the tallest lighthouses on the coast. The first lighthouse constructed of reinforced concrete. The current tower replaces a brick one damaged during the 1906 earthquake.
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37 ° 59' 44" N 123 ° 1' 23" W Point Reyes is located in Point Reyes National Seashore, and is a long drive from anything else. The lighthouse is open to the public most days (not Tuesday and Wednesday at my last visit). To reach you must drive more than 20 miles from US 101, then park and hike about 1/2 mile. At the top of the point is a small museum and viewing platform. The lighthouse is 304 steps below on the side of the cliff.
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37 ° 48' 54" N 122 ° 31' 48" W Part of the Golden Gate recreation area.
37 ° 57' 47" N 122 ° 26' 0" W Located on a small island a few hundred yards offshore. Can be viewed from the road, I haven't figured out how to get out there actually.
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One of a very few remaining lighships, anchored at Jack London Square in Oakland.
Located on the Carquinez Strait (off of the San Francisco Bay).
about 38 ° 14' 12" N 122 ° 1' 48" W A recent lighthouse constructed in a city park in Suisun City.
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37 ° 49' 34" N 122 ° 25' 19" W Not much to visit, and requires a pricey boat ticket from San Francisco. The current tower is tall to be above the walls of the federal prison built on Alcatraz. The tower can easily be seen from pier 39 in San Francisco on a clear day, but don't go out to the island unless you wish to visit the prison as well.
37 ° 49' 31" N 122 ° 28' 41" W
37 ° 48' 26" N 122 ° 21' 43" W
° a brief description here, required
37 ° 32' 12" N 122 ° 31' 12" W
37 ° 41' 57" N 123 ° 0' 6" W The Farallon Island are a bird sanctuary, and landing on them is prohibited. They can be viewed from fishing boats. The lens is now in a museum in San Francisco.
37 ° 48' 38" N 122 ° 28' 29" W Fort point is a fort built before the civil war to protect the Golden Gate. The lighthouse is a metal turret perched on top of the fort. The fort is under the Golden Gate Bridge, and a fun place to visit. The last time I was there, it was not possible to go into the lighthouse proper, but you could climb to the top of the fort and view it a close range. Very cold and windy year round, bring a warm coat.
37 ° 47' 34" N 122 ° 30' 37" W A lighthouse located on a rock, just off shore of San Francisco.
37 ° 10' 54" N 122 ° 23' 38" W A youth hostel is in the outbuildings, at last visit it was held together with steel cable because of structural problems and closed to the public. A tall brick tower that survived the 1906 earthquake.
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36 ° 57' 5" N 122 ° 1' 36" W
36 ° 38' 0" N 121 ° 56' 1" W in continuous operation since 1955, despite having the tower replaced after the 1906 earthquake. Located at the end of the Monterey peninsula, it can be visited and has a nice museum in the basement. Set quite far back from the ocean in the middle of a golf course, it was placed there to take advantage of the natural elevation. Rock quarried from the basement was used to make the structure. Outside the lighthouse are several decommissioned navigational buoys with informational signs, a rare opportunity to view them up close.
More information and pictures.
x ° x' x" N x ° x' x" W Point sur lighthouse had a 1st order lens. the lens has been removed and is in the Monterey Maritime & History Museum in Monterey.
More information and pictures.
35 ° 39' 56" N 121 ° 17' 4" W
35 ° 9' 36" N 120 ° 45' 37" W
34 ° 26' 55" N 120 ° 28' 14" W
34 ° 23' 46" N 119 ° 43' 21" W a White Tower
34 ° 0' 57" N 119 ° 21' 34" W On one of the channel islands. Currently the entire island is a national park, and can be visited by boat or airplane. The origonal 1st order lens is on display at the East Anacapa visitor center.
34 ° 8' 42" N 119 ° 12' 35 W
33 ° 44' 31" N 118 ° 24' 38" W
33 ° 42' 17" N 118 ° 17' 38" W
33 ° 42' 30" N 118 ° 15' 5" W
33 ° 43' 23" N 118 ° 11' 12" W
32 ° 39' 54" N 117 ° 14' 33" W built to replace the Old Point Loma Light, which was too high on the cliff to be seen through the fog.
Replaced by New Point Loma Lighthouse because it was too high on the cliff to be seen during fog, it remains today as a museum.
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