Tier 2 · Notable

Cape Mendocino Light

Cape Mendocino Light Station

Ferndale · Humboldt County · North Coast

InactiverelocatedPublic accesseasyCity of Ferndale (relocated tower)

Historic photograph of the original Cape Mendocino Light — Photo: Unknown author· Public domain· Wikimedia Commons

Year first lit

1868

Current structure built

1868

Tower height

43 ft

Focal plane

422 ft

Optic

First-order Fresnel lens (original; removed; current location unknown)

Light characteristic

Decommissioned 1951

Owner

City of Ferndale (relocated tower)

Manager

City of Ferndale

Coordinates

40.4394, -124.4082 Map

Current hours

Ferndale park accessible during daylight hours. Tower exterior only.

Fees

Free

History

Built 1868 at the westernmost point of the contiguous United States. Decommissioned 1951. Tower relocated to Ferndale in 1998. Original site on private land.

Logistics

Recommended base

Ferndale or Eureka

Accessibility

Relocated tower in Ferndale. Original site on Cape Mendocino is on private land and not accessible.

Nearby lighthouses

Point Cabrillo Light Station

★ Flagship 12

Mendocino, Mendocino Coast

Tier 1Active aidPublic accesseasy⚠ Verify

One of the most complete and best-preserved light station complexes in California. On-site keeper house lodging. Walking distance from the village of Mendocino. The Mendocino coast setting is among the most scenic in the state.

The Trinidad Head Memorial Lighthouse replica in town

Trinidad Head Lighthouse

★ Flagship 12

Trinidad, North Coast

Tier 1Active aidPublic accesseasy

Dramatic headland setting with views of Trinidad Bay and the Pacific. The compact white tower against the rocky headland is one of the most photogenic lighthouse scenes in Northern California. The town of Trinidad is a charming base.

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Sources

Image rights: USCG images public domain. Wikimedia Commons has CC-licensed images.

Research confidence: medium · Last verified 2026-05-13