The Lighthouse Circuit

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

Tier 3

Oakland Harbor Light

Oakland Harbor Light Station

Oakland · Alameda County · Bay Area

One of only a few spark-plug lighthouses on the Pacific Coast — a structural type more common on the East Coast — and an unusually personable piece of Oakland's working-waterfront history.

Active aidRestricted accessdifficult
Labels
Tier 1–3
Editorial browse cues for prominence and context—not circuits, checklists, or achievements.
Active aid
The light currently serves navigation. It does not mean the tower, grounds, or interior are open to visitors.
Public / restricted access
Some approved visitor access versus a legal viewpoint, special arrangement, or no ordinary public entry. Always check the official guidance.
Flagship 12
The curated statewide circuit. It is separate from the editorial tier labels.

Your lighthouse passport

Stamp my passport

My Passport →

Check in at Oakland Harbor Light to collect your digital stamp. Add your name if you like.

Lighthouse Circuit is here to inspire real visits. To collect a location-verified stamp, you’ll need to be at the lighthouse with location access enabled. Need help adding past visits? Email us and we’ll be happy to add them manually.

Sign your passport

Optional · Your visit can also stay unnamed.

This visit saves privately. Public guestbook check-in is not available at this lighthouse yet. You can still collect a personal stamp.

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From the field

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Visit essentials

Access

no public access (active USCG; harbor location)

Current hours

Not open to public. Visible from Oakland waterfront.

Accessibility

Active USCG aid to navigation. No public access. Visible from Oakland waterfront.

The light

Year first lit

1890

Current structure built

1890

Optic

Automated LED beacon

Stewardship & location

Owner

U.S. Coast Guard

Manager

U.S. Coast Guard

Coordinates

37.7950, -122.2580 Map

The story

Built 1903 on a concrete caisson in the Oakland Estuary, the spark-plug-style tower earned the nickname 'Coffee Pot' for its cylindrical body. Deactivated 1966 and now privately owned.

The visit

No public access — privately owned, no scheduled tours. Visible from points along the Oakland waterfront and from boats on the estuary.

Make a day of it

Base yourself in

Oakland

Nearby lighthouses

Alcatraz Island Light rising above the former federal prison

Alcatraz Island Light

San Francisco, Bay Area

Tier 1Active aidPublic accessmoderate⚠ Verify

The first lighthouse on the Pacific Coast. The Alcatraz connection makes it one of the most-visited lighthouse sites in the United States. The lighthouse is often overlooked by visitors focused on the prison — a compelling story angle.

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Sources

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