Lighthouses of California -  Point Reyes
Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Point Reyes Lighthouse is a dramatic 1870 coastal beacon perched 308 steps down the cliffs of Point Reyes, guiding ships past one of the foggiest and windiest headlands on the Pacific Coast.

Prints & Downloads

Map

Point Reyes Lighthouse Keepers (Partial list)
  • James Rankin (first keeper, 1870)
  • William H. Murphy
  • Ernest H. Pierce
  • Frank Hudson
  • Final keepers served until automation in 1975

Location


Windiest and Foggiest place in the entire USA.   40mph is the cut off for visitors where they will close the lighthouse.
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History

  • Built lower on the cliff (rather than at the top) to sit below heavy fog layers.
  • Experiences hurricane-force winds — gusts have exceeded 100 mph.
  • Originally equipped with a First Order Fresnel lens (now on display in the visitor center).
  • Over 50 shipwrecks occurred in the surrounding waters before modern navigation improvements.
  • Automated in 1975 after 105 years of keeper operation.
  • One of the foggiest places in North America.

Photography

No drones are allowed.  The best shot would be from the ocean looking back at the lighthouse, but its not allowed.   There are 300+ steps for you to walk to get down to the lighthouse and then you have to walk 300+ steps back up to your car.

The lighthouse is open from 10 til 6.   Next time I'm going to go back at sunrise.