Our favorite lighthouse is the oldest, continuously operated lighthouse on the West Coast.

In December 1602, the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaíno named the point at the southwestern entrance to Monterey Bay Punta de los Pinos or “Point of the Pines,” because the tip of the Monterey Peninsula was covered with Monterey Pines.

Still in working order today, the lighthouse was erected in 1853-1855 on 25 acres of Rancho Punta de los Pinos purchased by the Government in 1852 from the Armenta family. It began operating on February 1st, 1855 and has never failed. It is listed in the National Register as #77000312.

The Cape Cod style lighthouse building, sitting atop a rise near Point Pinos, is constructed primarily of stone and includes a half story 43 foot brick tower that houses the light system. The building was seriously jolted in the great California earthquake of 1906 which destroyed San Francisco. The tower was subsequently replaced but the original Fresnel lens, undamaged, was restored.

The original third-order Fresnel lens, made in France in 1853, has shone its beacon of light for over 150 years. Named for Augustin Fresnel, who perfected it in 1822, the Fresnel lens is a series of prisms that focus light into a horizontal beam visible at more than 20 nautical miles

The lens was originally illuminated by a whale oil lamp, then by a lard oil system, then kerosene was used in early 1880 and electricity has provided light since 1919. It has been fully automated since 1975. The focal plane of the lens is at 89 feet above see level.

The lighthouse, still an active Coast Guard aid to navigation, is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and leased to the City of Pacific Grove and its Museum of Natural History where you may see a remarkable historical photo collection of the Lighthouse and of the “Hazards of the Rocky Shores”. The Lighthouse small museum contains U.S. Coast Guard memorabilia. It is opened to the public.

Hours of operation:
(best to check first by calling the numbers below as we do not necessarily have the latest information which may change from time to time)
Oct.-May • Thursday–Monday: 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
June-Sept. • Daily: 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Group reservations required
Cost: adults $2.00, youths $1.00
Information: (831) 648-5716 ext. 13 or (831) 648-3116

For additional details see:
Point Pinos Lighthouse, City of Pacific Grove.
Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Hazards of the Rocky Shores, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Point Pinos Light, National Park Service, Maritime Heritage Program, Inventory of Historic Light Stations - California Lighthouses.
Point Pinos, CA, Lighthouse Friends.com.
Point Pinos Lighthouse, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Point Pinos Lighthouse, About: California for visitors.

Photographs of Point Pinos Lighthouse:
Point Pinos Grill presents Point Pinos Lighthouse

Other links of interest regarding Point Pinos Lighthouse:
Point Pinos Lighthouse, California Views: The Pat Hathaway Photo Collection.
Point Piños Light, Rudy and Alice's Lighthouse Page. [Numerous photos of the Lighthouse]
Point Piños Lighthouse, Don Bain's Virtual Guidebooks. [Full screen panorama]
360° Interactive Full Color Panorama of Point Pinos Lighthouse, Monterey Virtual Tours.
Panorama of Point Pinos Lighthouse, Erik Goetze's Virtual Parks.

A suggestion!
Why not join us for a leisurely lunch at Point Pinos Grill before you visit the Lighthouse located right across the street from us. If you visit the Lighthouse first then come on in for a late lunch, nice snack or refreshments afterwards. We love our beautiful Lighthouse and will be happy to share stories about it and its ghost, former lighthouse keeper Mrs. Emily Fish, with you and your family or friends.

Either way, enjoy your visit!