There are 30 lighthouses on the California coast. Some are still in use, while others are closed to the public. A few are notable enough that you can actually see them from space. For instance, the Point Fermin lighthouse, in San Pedro Bay, is a funky-looking stick style structure. Despite its obscurity, it’s actually open to the public.
The Point Vicente lighthouse near Sonoma is another example of a lighthouse in the California landscape. This is the only Victorian style lighthouse in the state, and is one of the earliest examples of the type. It’s also a good place to learn about lighthouse history.
The 67-foot tower at Point Bonita has been a fixture on the TV screen for years, but it isn’t the only lighthouse in this part of the state.
Other notable lighthouses are the Alcatraz lighthouse on the island of San Francisco, the oldest in the country, and the Monterrey lighthouse, the only active one on the west coast. These are just two of the 16 California lighthouses open to the public.
The California & Hawaii lighthouse map is a comprehensive guide to lighthouses along the Golden State’s rugged coastline, including 31 photos of the more than 30 lighthouses, a brief history of each, and directions to see each. Also included is a directory of maritime museums and cruises, and a shaded relief map of Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay. As you can imagine, the map isn’t for the faint of heart.