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California Lighthouses Galleries

Alcatraz Light, California :

Alcatraz Light, California

Updated: Sep 03, 2011 10:46pm PST

Battery Point Light, California : The Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, California is one of the oldest lights on the west coast. Located 15 miles south of the Oregon border the harbor served as a starting point for the gold fields during the 1850’s and later as a port for the timber industry. The lighthouse has changed little over the last 150 years and is an excellent example of early west coast lighthouse construction.

Battery Point Light, California

The Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, California is one of th ...

Updated: Apr 04, 2012 6:01pm PST

Fort Point Light, California : Long before the Golden Gate Bridge spanned the entrance to San Francisco Bay, the Fort Point Lighthouse stood watch to the growth of the city and Pacific coast maritime traffic. It was however the first lighthouse to be torn down on the west coast, 3 months after its completion. While awaiting the delivery of its Fresnel lens from France, the Army decided the lighthouse reservation was needed by the military to fortify the entrance to the Bay. When the lens for the Fort Point Light arrived in 1854 it was sent to be placed in the Point Piños Light at Monterey Bay.

Fort Point Light, California

Long before the Golden Gate Bridge spanned the entrance to San Francis ...

Updated: Apr 13, 2013 1:57pm PST

New Point Loma Light, California : The New Point Loma Lighthouse was erected at the entrance to San Diego Bay in August 1890 as a replacement for the Old Point Loma Light which had been functioning since 1855. Despite its lofty 400 foot elevation, the Old Light was constantly obscured by low lying fog requiring a new lighthouse to be built. The new 70 foot tall skeletal structure was placed on a concrete pad 25 feet square and 14 feet deep.

New Point Loma Light, California

The New Point Loma Lighthouse was erected at the entrance to San Diego ...

Updated: Nov 20, 2012 4:07pm PST

Old Point Loma Light, California :

Old Point Loma Light, California

Updated: Nov 04, 2011 6:00am PST

Pigeon Point Light, California : Located on a headland approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco is one of the west coast's most beautiful lighthouses, the Pigeon Point Light. The name Pigeon Point comes from the wreck of the clipper ship ‘Carrier Pigeon’ which came to grief on the rocks just off the point in 1853. Maritime traffic increased as San Francisco grew and mariners called for the treacherous area to be marked, but the Lighthouse Establishment moved slowly to select land and obtain a site. In the meantime, other wrecks occurred and public outcry intensified. Finally after years of negotiations with land owners, the federal government purchased land at Año Nuevo Island and Pigeon Point for lighthouse purposes in 1870.

Pigeon Point Light, California

Located on a headland approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco is ...

Updated: May 28, 2013 5:04pm PST

Point Arena Light, California :

Point Arena Light, California

Updated: Jan 25, 2012 6:28pm PST

Point Bonita Light, California : Located at the northern entrance to the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay, Point Bonita is one of the most spectacular lighthouse sites in the country. Although it is only 7 miles from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco it seems to be a world away and isolated. Originally the Light House Board planned to build a lighthouse at the southern entrance at Point Lobos, but local maritime interests petitioned for the light to be built upon Point Bonita. They contended that the light could be approached easier from the north since the water was deeper and it would be safer in rough conditions.

Point Bonita Light, California

Located at the northern entrance to the Golden Gate and San Francisco ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2013 12:24pm PST

Point Cabrillo Light, California :

Point Cabrillo Light, California

Updated: Jan 27, 2012 12:41pm PST

Point Fermin Light, California : On the southern point of the Palos Verdes peninsula overlooking San Pedro Bay rise the 100 foot cliffs of Point Fermin. In 1869 California’s first railroad from San Pedro Bay to Los Angeles was completed. Local businessman immediately petitioned the Lighthouse Board to build a lighthouse to mark the harbor due to the increase in shipping to the growing port. In 1872 Congress appropriated monies for the project and a site was chosen for the lighthouse reservation, however delays in obtaining title to the land delayed construction.

Point Fermin Light, California

On the southern point of the Palos Verdes peninsula overlooking San Pe ...

Updated: Jul 06, 2011 11:12pm PST

Point Montara Light, California :

Point Montara Light, California

Updated: Aug 09, 2011 4:40pm PST

Point Pinos Light, California : Set upon the southern entrance to Monterey Bay in California, the Point Piños Lighthouse was the third lighthouse built on the west coast by the U.S. It is also the oldest continuous operating lighthouse as the original lights at Alcatraz and Fort Point were dismantled. After the U.S. gained control of California during the Mexican War in 1850, Congress appropriated monies in 1852 to build seven lighthouses along the California coastline.

Point Pinos Light, California

Set upon the southern entrance to Monterey Bay in California, the Poin ...

Updated: Jul 27, 2011 4:48pm PST

Point Reyes Light, California : Located 30 miles northwest of the Golden Gate entrance to San Francisco, Point Reyes is a peninsula which extends 10 miles into the Pacific Ocean. Ships sailing south along the coast would turn for San Francisco after passing the point. Since it was one of the foggiest and windiest spots in the United States, the Light House Board planned to build a lighthouse on the point as early as 1855.

Point Reyes Light, California

Located 30 miles northwest of the Golden Gate entrance to San Francisc ...

Updated: Nov 03, 2011 4:51am PST

Point Sur Light, California :

Point Sur Light, California

Updated: Jan 25, 2012 3:41pm PST

Point Vicente Light, California : Just north of Los Angeles lies the Palos Verdes Peninsula jutting out into the Pacific. At the end of the peninsula Point Vicente marks the northern entrance to the Catalina Channel and San Pedro and Long Beach Harbors. The point is also a navigational hazard in foggy weather. At the beginning of the 20th century there was an unlighted gap of 32 miles between Point Hueneme Light to the north and the Point Fermin Light to the south. With the opening of the Panama Canal and the associated increase in shipping, maritime interests clamored for additional aids long this length of coastline.

Point Vicente Light, California

Just north of Los Angeles lies the Palos Verdes Peninsula jutting out ...

Updated: Nov 04, 2011 6:05am PST

Santa Cruz Light, California :

Santa Cruz Light, California

Updated: Jul 03, 2011 10:50am PST

Table Bluff Light, California :

Table Bluff Light, California

Updated: Jan 25, 2012 6:19pm PST

Trinidad Head Memorial Light, California : Along the redwood coast of northern California there is a high headland overlooking Trinidad Bay. Here a settlement was founded during the Gold Rush era which grew into a lumber center during the 1870’s. The Light House Board decided to establish a 25 foot tower with a 4th Order Fresnel lens in 1871 on the headland.

Trinidad Head Memorial Light, California

Along the redwood coast of northern California there is a high headlan ...

Updated: Dec 30, 2011 10:10am PST


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