Above California lighthouse map.
Find locations and names of California’s historic lighthouses and lights. These include the famous: Point Loma Lighthouse, Point Arena Lighthouse, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Point Reyes Lighthouse and other light and lighthouse locations.
Year: 1901
Cause: Navigational error in fog
Weather Condition: Dense fog
Lives Lost: 128 out of 210 passengers and crew
Proximity to Lighthouse: Near Fort Point Light, but visibility was poor
Details: The SS City of Rio de Janeiro struck rocks near Fort Point while entering San Francisco Bay. Dense fog caused disorientation, leading to the wreck.
Year: 1865
Cause: Struck an uncharted rock
Weather Condition: Heavy seas and dense fog
Lives Lost: 225 out of 244 passengers and crew
Proximity to Lighthouse: Far from any lighthouse; led to the construction of St. George Reef Light
Details: Near Crescent City, the Brother Jonathan hit an uncharted rock and quickly sank. This disaster prompted the construction of the St. George Reef Lighthouse.
Year: 1941
Cause: Torpedoed by a Japanese submarine
Weather Condition: Calm seas
Lives Lost: None, as the entire crew of 38 survived
Proximity to Lighthouse: Near Point Arguello Light
Details: The oil tanker SS Montebello was sunk by a Japanese submarine near Point Arguello. Fortunately, all crew members survived despite the sinking.
Year: 1923
Cause: Grounded due to navigational error
Weather Condition: Foggy conditions
Lives Lost: None, passengers and crew safely evacuated
Proximity to Lighthouse: Near Point Arguello Light
Details: The SS Cuba ran aground near Point Arguello. Although the ship was a total loss, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
Year: 1923
Cause: Navigational errors, exacerbated by fog and rough seas
Weather Condition: Dense fog and heavy seas
Lives Lost: 23 lives lost, seven Navy destroyers wrecked
Proximity to Lighthouse: Near Point Arguello Light(is located on the coast at Vandenberg Space Force Base)
Details: The Honda Point Disaster remains one of the largest peacetime naval losses for the U.S. Navy. Seven destroyers ran aground after misjudging their position in fog.
Year: 1853
Cause: Heavy fog obscured navigation
Weather Condition: Heavy fog
Lives Lost: None, all passengers and crew were saved
Proximity to Lighthouse: Near Point Bonita Light
Details: SS Tennessee ran aground in fog near Point Bonita. The passengers and crew managed to safely evacuate, and the site is now called Tennessee Cove.
Location: San Francisco (Alcatraz Island)
Coordinates: 37°49′34.5″N 122°25′19.8″W
Year First Lit: 1854 (First), 1909 (Current)
Purpose: Built to warn ships navigating the challenging waters of San Francisco Bay.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Reinforced concrete
Wave Exposure: In Bay, protected from direct wave impact
Famous Keepers: Known for a series of keepers, especially due to its proximity to Alcatraz prison.
Automation: Automated in 1963
Current Status: Active, part of Alcatraz Island historic site
Location: Anacapa Island
Coordinates: 34.015827°N 119.359548°W
Year First Lit: 1912 (First), 1932 (Current)
Purpose: Guides ships through the Santa Barbara Channel's tricky waters.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Reinforced concrete
Wave Exposure: Located on high cliffs, it is protected from most direct wave action.
Famous Keepers: Famous for its resident lighthouse keepers until automation.
Automation: Automated in 1967
Current Status: Active, part of Channel Islands National Park, historic site
Location: Año Nuevo Island
Coordinates: 37.1083°N 122.3378°W
Year First Lit: 1890 (First), 1914 (Last)
Purpose: Warns vessels near Año Nuevo's rocky coast.
Type: Lighthouse (later abandoned)
Material: Reinforced concrete
Wave Exposure: On wave surround rock, exposed to significant ocean waves.
Famous Keepers: Various keepers before abandonment. Now famous for Elephant Seal colonies
Automation: Never automated; deactivated in 1948, tower cut down in 1976
Current Status: Abandoned, ruins only
Location: San Diego (Point Loma)
Coordinates: 32°41′11.0″N 117°13′57.0″W
Year First Lit: 1890
Purpose: Aids navigation near San Diego harbor.
Type: Lighthouse (demolished)
Material: Wood and masonry
Wave Exposure: Protected by Point Loma
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1960
Current Status: Demolished
Location: Crescent City
Coordinates: 41.744094°N 124.203099°W
Year First Lit: 1856
Purpose: Protects Crescent City and its coastal routes.
Type: Classic lighthouse with a stone structure
Material: Stone and brick
Wave Exposure: Often battered by large waves, including significant tsunamis.
Famous Keepers: Stories of brave keepers who stayed during storms and tsunamis.
Automation: Automated in 1953
Current Status: Museum, preserved by the Del Norte Historical Society
Location: Shelter Cove
Coordinates: 40°26′23.66″N 124°24′21.71″W
Year First Lit: 1868
Purpose: Warns ships of the treacherous Cape Mendocino coast.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Cast iron and brick
Wave Exposure: Set back, it is protected from wave action.
Automation: Automated in 1951, deactivated in 1971
Current Status: Relocated to Shelter Cove, preserved as a historic site
Location: Vallejo
Coordinates: 38.067816°N 122.213832°W
Year First Lit: 1910
Purpose: Aids in navigating Carquinez Strait.
Type: Lighthouse (replaced by a beacon)
Material: Concrete and steel
Wave Exposure: Protected from ocean waves(Note: was saved/moved from the middle of the Carquinez Strait)
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1951
Current Status: Replaced by a beacon
Location: Richmond
Coordinates: 37.963233°N 122.433643°W
Year First Lit: 1874
Purpose: Marks East Brother Island to guide ships in San Francisco Bay.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Brick and mortar
Wave Exposure: Exposed to San Francisco Bay waves
Automation: Automated in 1969
Current Status: Active and operates as a B&B
Location: San Francisco (Farallon Islands)
Coordinates: 37.698966°N 123.001651°W
Year First Lit: 1856
Purpose: Guides ships past the hazardous Farallon Islands in the Pacific.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Stone and brick
Wave Exposure: On middle of Island, Exposed to heavy Pacific winds
Automation: Automated in 1972
Current Status: Active, under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Location: San Francisco
Coordinates: 37°48′38″N 122°28′38.4″W
Year First Lit: 1855 (First), 1864 (Current)
Purpose: Aids in navigation near Fort Point and the Golden Gate entrance.
Type: Lighthouse (replaced by the Golden Gate Bridge)
Material: Brick and cast iron
Wave Exposure: Exposed to turbulent waters of the Golden Gate
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1934
Current Status: Historic site, managed by the National Park Service
Location: Eureka (Humboldt Bay)
Coordinates: 40°46′7.1″N 124°13′15.7″W
Year First Lit: 1856
Purpose: Marks entrance to Humboldt Bay for ships.
Type: Lighthouse (collapsed)
Material: Wood and masonry
Wave Exposure: Exposed to wind and spray from the Pacific and Humboldt Bay
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1892
Current Status: Collapsed in 1933
Location: San Francisco
Coordinates: 37.825447°N 122.478321°W
Year First Lit: 1900
Purpose: Assists navigation at the Golden Gate.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Cast iron
Wave Exposure: Regularly battered by strong storms from the Pacific Ocean
Automation: Automated in 1961
Current Status: Active, automated lighthouse
Location: Long Beach (Port of Long Beach)
Coordinates: 33.723237°N 118.186821°W
Year First Lit: 1949
Purpose: Aids ships entering the busy port of Long Beach.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Some exposure to ocean waves in large storms
Automation: Always automated
Current Status: Active lighthouse
Location: Los Angeles (Port of Los Angeles)
Coordinates: 33.70857°N 118.25160°W
Year First Lit: 1913
Purpose: Provides guidance for vessels entering the Port of Los Angeles.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete and steel
Wave Exposure: Some exposure to rolling ocean waves in large storms
Automation: Automated in 1973
Current Status: Active lighthouse
Location: Vallejo (Mare Island)
Coordinates: 38.074834°N 122.250464°W
Year First Lit: 1873
Purpose: Warns ships navigating near Mare Island.
Type: Lighthouse (demolished)
Material: Wood
Wave Exposure: Limited exposure in the bay
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1917
Current Status: Demolished in the 1930s
Location: San Francisco
Coordinates: 37.792765°N 122.510366°W
Year First Lit: 1906
Purpose: Protects ships from Mile Rocks near the Golden Gate.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete and steel
Wave Exposure: 360 ocean exposure, frequently hit by strong waves
Automation: Automated in 1966
Current Status: Active lighthouse
Location: Oakland
Coordinates: 37.781335°N 122.243817°W
Year First Lit: 1890 (First), 1903 (Last)
Purpose: Guides ships into Oakland Harbor.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete and steel
Wave Exposure: (Note: was moved and is a closed bar/resturant now)
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1966
Current Status: Replaced by modern navigational aids
Location: San Simeon
Coordinates: 35°39′56.3″N 121°17′03.6″W
Year First Lit: 1875
Purpose: Warns ships along the central coast of California.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Brick and masonry
Wave Exposure: Exposed to Pacific Ocean wind and spray
Automation: Automated in 1975
Current Status: Active, managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Location: Half Moon Bay
Coordinates: 37°10′54.3″N 122°23′38.1″W
Year First Lit: 1872
Purpose: Marks the dangerous rocky coast south of San Francisco.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Brick and cast iron
Wave Exposure: Regularly hit by strong wind and wave spray
Automation: Automated in 1974
Current Status: Active, managed by California State Parks
Location: Point Arena
Coordinates: 38°57′17.1″N 123°44′25.8″W
Year First Lit: 1870 (First), 1908 (Current)
Purpose: Warns vessels along California's rugged northern coastline.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete and steel
Wave Exposure: Exposed to rough ocean waves and spray
Automation: Automated in 1977
Current Status: Active, operates as a museum and B&B
Location: Lompoc (Point Arguello)
Coordinates: 34°34′37.4″N 120°38′49.9″W
Year First Lit: 1901 (First), 1934 (Last)
Purpose: Assists in navigating the dangerous coast near Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Type: Lighthouse (replaced by modern light)
Material: Brick and steel
Wave Exposure: Exposed to coastal wave spray and wind
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1967
Current Status: Replaced, with remains preserved
Location: San Francisco (Angel Island)
Coordinates: 37°51′11.64″N 122°25′9.25″W
Year First Lit: 1915 (First), 1956 (Current)
Purpose: Aids in navigation around Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Protected within the bay
Automation: Automated in 1976
Current Status: Active lighthouse
Location: San Francisco (Point Bonita)
Coordinates: 37.815614°N 122.529578°W
Year First Lit: 1855 (First), 1877 (Current)
Purpose: Guides ships entering San Francisco Bay.
Type: Lighthouse with a historic Fresnel lens
Material: Concrete and brick
Wave Exposure: High cliffs, exposed to large powerful waves
Automation: Automated in 1980
Current Status: Active, operated by the National Park Service, open for tours
Location: Caspar
Coordinates: 39°20′54.97″N 123°49′34.02″W
Year First Lit: 1909
Purpose: Marks the rocky Mendocino coast.
Type: Lighthouse with a historic Fresnel lens
Material: Brick and concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to coastal wind and some spray
Automation: Automated in 1973
Current Status: Active, operates as a museum and historic site
Location: Lompoc (Point Conception)
Coordinates: 34°26′55.51″N 120°28′14.71″W
Year First Lit: 1856 (First), 1882 (Current)
Purpose: Marks the point where California's coastline changes direction, guiding ships around this dangerous area.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Brick and masonry
Wave Exposure: High cliffs, exposed to powerful Pacific winds and some spray
Automation: Automated in 1973
Current Status: Active, managed by the U.S. Coast Guard
Location: San Francisco (Golden Gate)
Coordinates: 37.820171°N 122.499423°W
Year First Lit: 1923
Purpose: Aids navigation through the Golden Gate.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Regularly exposed to wind and high waves within the Golden Gate
Automation: Always automated
Current Status: Active, managed by the U.S. Coast Guard
Location: Los Angeles (San Pedro)
Coordinates: 33.705420°N 118.293649°W
Year First Lit: 1874
Purpose: Guides ships entering San Pedro Bay.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Wood
Wave Exposure: Some exposure within the bay
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1942
Current Status: Museum and historical site
Location: Port Hueneme
Coordinates: 34.145176°N 119.210019°W
Year First Lit: 1874 (First), 1941 (Current)
Purpose: Guides ships into Port Hueneme.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to coastal winds
Automation: Automated in 1972
Current Status: Active, open for public tours
Location: San Francisco
Coordinates: —
Year First Lit: 1900
Purpose: Aids navigation in the San Francisco Bay.
Type: Lighthouse (demolished)
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Protected within the bay
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1963
Current Status: Demolished
Location: San Diego (Point Loma)
Coordinates: 32.671983°N 117.240938°W
Year First Lit: 1855
Purpose: Marks the entrance to San Diego Bay.
Type: Lighthouse with historic Fresnel lens
Material: Brick and masonry
Wave Exposure: High cliffs, minimal wave exposure
Automation: Deactivated in 1891, replaced by new Point Loma Light
Current Status: Historical landmark within Cabrillo National Monument
Location: San Diego (Point Loma)
Coordinates: 32.665071°N 117.242621°W
Year First Lit: 1891
Purpose: Replaced the old Point Loma Light to better guide ships into San Diego Bay.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to large ocean waves at lower elevation
Automation: Automated in 1973
Current Status: Active, within Cabrillo National Monument
Location: Montara
Coordinates: 37.536503°N 122.519311°W
Year First Lit: 1900 (First), 1928 (Current)
Purpose: Guides ships along the San Mateo County coast.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Steel and cast iron
Wave Exposure: Exposed to ocean spray and waves
Automation: Automated in 1970
Current Status: Active, also serves as a hostel
Location: Pacific Grove
Coordinates: 36.633389°N 121.933783°W
Year First Lit: 1855
Purpose: Oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, guiding ships along Monterey Bay.
Type: Lighthouse with a traditional Fresnel lens
Material: Brick and mortar
Wave Exposure: Located on rocky bluffs, it receives wave spray but is safe from direct impact.
Automation: Automated in 1975
Current Status: Active, managed by the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Location: Point Reyes Station (Point Reyes)
Coordinates: 37.995621°N 123.023215°W
Year First Lit: 1870
Purpose: Helps ships navigate the challenging waters off Point Reyes.
Type: Lighthouse with a historic first-order Fresnel lens
Material: Cast iron and brick
Wave Exposure: Exposed to extreme weather conditions, including powerful ocean wave spray and wind
Automation: Automated in 1975
Current Status: Active, operated by the National Park Service, open for tours
Location: Avila Beach
Coordinates: 35.160362°N 120.760882°W
Year First Lit: 1890
Purpose: Guides vessels entering San Luis Bay.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete and brick
Wave Exposure: Exposed to coastal wind and spray action
Automation: Automated in 1974, deactivated in 1975
Current Status: Historic site, maintained by the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, open for tours
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea
Coordinates: 36°18′22.79″N 121°54′05.36″W
Year First Lit: 1889
Purpose: Warns vessels of the dangerous Big Sur coast.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Granite and cement
Wave Exposure: Positioned on a high bluff, exposed to ocean spray and heavy weather
Automation: Automated in 1972
Current Status: Active, historic site with tours provided by California State Parks
Location: Rancho Palos Verdes
Coordinates: 33.741867°N 118.410738°W
Year First Lit: 1926
Purpose: Marks the Palos Verdes Peninsula, aiding ships along the Southern California coast.
Type: Lighthouse with a third-order Fresnel lens
Material: Reinforced concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to ocean spray but positioned on a high cliff
Automation: Automated in 1973
Current Status: Active, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, open for occasional public tours
Location: Petrolia
Coordinates: 40.249433°N 124.350220°W
Year First Lit: 1912
Purpose: Guides ships along the isolated Lost Coast.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete and stone
Wave Exposure: Regularly exposed to intense ocean wind and spray
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1951
Current Status: Historic ruins, managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Location: Roe Island
Coordinates: 38.067856°N 122.028166°W
Year First Lit: 1891
Purpose: Aids navigation in the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers.
Type: Lighthouse (later destroyed)
Material: Wood and metal
Wave Exposure: Protected within the river estuary
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1945
Current Status: Destroyed
Location: South Lake Tahoe
Coordinates: 38°59′45″N 120°05′41″W
Year First Lit: 1919
Purpose: Marks the shores of Lake Tahoe.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Stone
Wave Exposure: Protected within the lake
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1921
Current Status: Historic site within D.L. Bliss State Park
Location: Santa Barbara
Coordinates: 34.396320°N 119.722625°W
Year First Lit: 1856 (First), 1928 (Current)
Purpose: Guides ships along the Santa Barbara coast.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to coastal weather
Automation: Automated in 1928
Current Status: Active, managed by the U.S. Coast Guard
Location: Santa Cruz
Coordinates: 36°57′05.34″N 122°01′36.36″W
Year First Lit: 1870 (First), 1967 (Current)
Purpose: Marks the entrance to Santa Cruz harbor.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to coastal waves and weather
Automation: Automated in 1941
Current Status: Active lighthouse
Location: Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz harbor)
Coordinates: 36°57′38.5″N 122°00′08.0″W
Year First Lit: 1964 (First), 2002 (Current)
Purpose: Aids navigation within the harbor at Santa Cruz.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Directly exposed to harbor waves, protected by Dolos
Automation: Always automated
Current Status: Active lighthouse
Location: San Francisco Bay
Coordinates: 37°52′54.981″N 122°24′00.837″W
Year First Lit: 1905
Purpose: Warns ships navigating San Francisco Bay.
Type: Lighthouse (moved)
Material: Wood and metal
Wave Exposure: Exposed to bay currents and waves
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1960
Current Status: Moved to the Oakland Yacht Club
Location: Crescent City
Coordinates: 41.83633°N 124.37587°W
Year First Lit: 1892
Purpose: Marks the dangerous waters off St. George Reef.
Type: Offshore lighthouse
Material: Granite
Wave Exposure: Frequently battered by massive ocean blue water waves.
Automation: Deactivated in 1975, reactivated in 2012 as a private aid to navigation
Current Status: Active, with occasional tours managed by the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society
Location: Tahoma
Coordinates: 39.061266°N 120.113971°W
Year First Lit: 1921
Purpose: Assists with navigation on Lake Tahoe.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Stone and wood
Wave Exposure: Protected within Lake Tahoe
Automation: Deactivated in 1985
Current Status: Historic site within Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Location: Table Bluff
Coordinates: 40°41′45.02″N 124°16′26.16″W
Year First Lit: 1892
Purpose: Guides ships along the coast near Humboldt Bay.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Wood
Wave Exposure: Exposed to coastal winds and weather
Automation: Automated in 1953, deactivated in 1971
Location: Lake Tahoe, Tahoma
Coordinates: 39.061266°N 120.113971°W
Year First Lit: 1921
Purpose: Navigational aid for vessels on Lake Tahoe.
Type: Inland lighthouse
Material: Stone and wood
Wave Exposure: Protected within the lake
Automation: Never automated, deactivated in 1985
Current Status: Historic site within Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Location: San Clemente Island
Coordinates: 32.9011°N 118.4861°W
Year First Lit: 1935
Purpose: Aids navigation along the southern coast of California.
Type: Coastal lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to open ocean wind and spray
Automation: Automated in the 1970s
Current Status: Active, managed by the U.S. Navy
Location: Catalina Island, West End
Coordinates: 33.4662°N 118.5703°W
Year First Lit: 1912
Purpose: Guides vessels around the west end of Catalina Island.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete and steel
Wave Exposure: Exposed to Pacific Ocean wind and spray
Automation: Automated in the 1970s
Current Status: Active, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard
Location: Catalina Island, East End
Coordinates: 33.3548°N 118.3281°W
Year First Lit: 1929
Purpose: Provides navigational aid on the eastern side of Catalina Island.
Type: Lighthouse
Material: Concrete
Wave Exposure: Exposed to ocean wind
Automation: Automated in the 1970s
Current Status: Active, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard
Source: Data.gov
Map Copyright CCCARTO