The Lighthouse Circuit

Access, tours, hours, fees, and closures change often. Always verify with the official source before driving.

Flagship route

The Flagship 12

The definitive statewide circuit

10–14 daysModerate — significant driving, some hikingBest: September–October (less fog, better weather)

Twelve lighthouses, from San Diego to the Oregon border. The essential California arc, anchored by Old Point Loma in the south and Battery Point in the far north. If you only do one lighthouse trip, do this one.

South to north

The route

12 stops

  1. Old Point Loma Lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego

    Stop 01 · San Diego

    Old Point Loma Lighthouse

    San Diego — start at Cabrillo NM

    View lighthouse
  2. Point Vicente Lighthouse on the cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula

    Stop 02 · Rancho Palos Verdes

    Point Vicente Lighthouse

    Rancho Palos Verdes

    View lighthouse
  3. Historic photograph of Point Conception Lighthouse

    Stop 03 · Lompoc

    Point Conception Lighthouse

    Lompoc — restricted access

    View lighthouse
  4. Point Sur Light Station lantern room above the Big Sur coast

    Stop 04 · Big Sur

    Point Sur Light Station

    Big Sur — book tour ahead

    View lighthouse
  5. Point Pinos Light, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast

    Stop 05 · Pacific Grove

    Point Pinos Lighthouse

    Pacific Grove

    View lighthouse
  6. Pigeon Point Lighthouse, a 115-foot white tower south of Pescadero

    Stop 06 · Pescadero

    Pigeon Point Lighthouse

    Pescadero — hostel on site

    View lighthouse
  7. Point Bonita Lighthouse at the end of its suspension bridge in the Marin Headlands

    Stop 07 · Sausalito

    Point Bonita Lighthouse

    Marin Headlands

    View lighthouse
  8. Point Reyes Lighthouse below its 308-step staircase

    Stop 08 · Point Reyes Station

    Point Reyes Lighthouse

    308 steps down to the lens

    View lighthouse
  9. Point Arena Lighthouse rising above the Mendocino Coast

    Stop 09 · Point Arena

    Point Arena Lighthouse

    Climb the 115-ft tower

    View lighthouse
  10. Point Cabrillo Light Station at sunrise

    Stop 10 · Mendocino

    Point Cabrillo Light Station

    Active third-order Fresnel

    View lighthouse
  11. The Trinidad Head Memorial Lighthouse replica in town

    Stop 11 · Trinidad

    Trinidad Head Lighthouse

    View from headland trail

    View lighthouse
  12. Battery Point Lighthouse on its tidal island at Crescent City

    Stop 12 · Crescent City

    Battery Point Lighthouse

    Crescent City — tide-dependent

    View lighthouse

Pro tip

Highway 1 is closed somewhere most of the year. Check Caltrans before committing to a Big Sur day.

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