Tier 1 · Essential · ★ Flagship 12

Point Arena Lighthouse

Point Arena Light Station

Point Arena · Mendocino County · Mendocino Coast

Active aidstandingPublic accesseasyPoint Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Inc. (nonprofit)

Point Arena Lighthouse rising above the Mendocino Coast — Photo: Frank Schulenburg· CC BY-SA 4.0· Wikimedia Commons

⚠ Verify before you drive

Access and fees confirmed via official website. Hours should be verified before visit. Lodging reservations required.

Year first lit

1870

Current structure built

1908

Tower height

115 ft

Focal plane

155 ft

Optic

Third-order Fresnel lens (original 1870 lens destroyed in 1906 earthquake; current lens installed 1908 with rebuilt tower)

Light characteristic

Fl W 2.5s (flashing white every 2.5 seconds)

Owner

Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Inc. (nonprofit)

Manager

Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Inc.

Coordinates

38.9549, -123.7400 Map

Current hours

Open daily approximately 10am–3:30pm (verify current hours with official site)

Fees

$5 per person 12+ for site visit (includes museum); additional $5 for tower climb (ages 4+)

NRHP listed

Yes

History

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroyed the original 1870 lighthouse. The current concrete tower (1908) was one of the first earthquake-resistant lighthouse designs in the US. Northernmost point in the contiguous US where the North American and Pacific tectonic plates meet at the coast.

Why it matters

The earthquake story is one of the most compelling in California lighthouse history. The 115-ft tower is climbable. On-site keeper cottage lodging makes it a premier lighthouse overnight destination. Tectonic plate boundary runs through the property.

The visit

Open daily. Site visit includes indoor museum and 23-acre outdoor museum. Tower climb ($5 extra) offers panoramic views. Keeper cottages available for overnight stays. Full moon night tours offered seasonally.

Logistics

Recommended base

Point Arena (on-site keeper cottages) or Gualala

Nearby food / coffee

Arena Market and Cafe (Point Arena), Rollerville Cafe (Point Arena)

Nearby lodging

Point Arena Lighthouse keeper cottages (on-site), Gualala hotels, Sea Ranch Lodge

Accessibility

Grounds accessible. Tower climb requires physical ability (115 ft, multiple stairways). Keeper cottages available for overnight stays (pet-friendly options).

Flagship 12 anchor for the Mendocino Coast. High history, high photography, high romance value. On-site lodging makes it a natural overnight stop. Tower climb is a highlight.

Nearby lighthouses

Point Reyes Lighthouse

★ Flagship 12

Point Reyes Station, Bay Area / North Bay

Tier 1Active aidPublic accessmoderate⚠ Verify

One of the windiest spots in North America — the lighthouse was built to withstand 100+ mph gusts. The preserved first-order Fresnel lens is one of the finest examples in California. The 308-step descent to the lighthouse is itself a memorable experience.

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.

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Sources

Officialpointarenalighthouse.com/visit
Officialpointarenalighthouse.com/lodging
Secondarylighthousefriends.com/light.asp
Secondaryen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Arena_Lighthouse
Imagescommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Point_Arena_Lighthouse.jpg

Image rights: Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers images may require permission. Wikimedia Commons has CC-licensed images.

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