The Lighthouse Circuit

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

Tier 2 · Notable

Point San Luis Lighthouse

Point San Luis Light Station

Avila Beach · San Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

Point San Luis Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the Central coast of California, first lit in 1890, owned by Port San Luis Harbor District.

Active aidstandingPublic accessmoderatePort San Luis Harbor District
Aerial view of Point San Luis Lighthouse near Avila Beach
Photo: Wolfgang Kaml· CC BY-SA 4.0· Wikimedia Commons

⚠ Verify before you drive

Hours, fees, tours, or access status at this station change often. Confirm with the official source before your trip.

Year first lit

1890

Current structure built

1890

Tower height

40 ft

Focal plane

116 ft

Optic

Third-and-a-half-order Fresnel lens (original; reported still in place)

Light characteristic

Fl W 5s (flashing white every 5 seconds)

Owner

Port San Luis Harbor District

Manager

Port San Luis Harbor District / Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers (volunteer nonprofit)

Coordinates

35.1694, -120.7647 Map

Current hours

Tours: Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hike departs 8:30 AM from Port San Luis. Shuttle option available.

Fees

Varies (see tickets page)

NRHP listed

Yes

History

Built 1890 above Avila Beach. The original third-and-a-half-order Fresnel lens is reported to be in place — an unusual size and a near-complete original installation. The 40-foot tower has a 116-foot focal plane. Stewarded by the Port San Luis Harbor District; still an active aid to navigation.

Why it matters

One of the most architecturally intact Victorian light stations on the California coast and one of the only ones where you can both hike in and ride a shuttle. Volunteer docent-led tours are the primary experience.

The visit

Tours Wednesdays and Saturdays only. The hike departs Port San Luis around 8:30 AM and takes about two hours round trip; a shuttle option is available for those who can't hike. Reserve through the lighthouse foundation. Verify days, fees, and shuttle slots before driving out.

Logistics

Recommended base

Avila Beach or San Luis Obispo

Accessibility

Hike approximately 2 hours. Shuttle option available for those unable to hike. Docent-led only.

Nearby lighthouses

Historic photograph of Point Conception Lighthouse

Point Conception Lighthouse

★ Flagship 12

Lompoc, Central Coast

Tier 1Active aidRestricteddifficult⚠ Verify

Geographically and historically one of the most significant lighthouse sites on the Pacific Coast. The 'corner' of California. Not publicly accessible, which makes it a compelling inclusion — the unreachable lighthouse.

Piedras Blancas Light Station near San Simeon

Piedras Blancas Light Station

San Simeon, Central Coast

Tier 2Active aidPublic accesseasy⚠ Verify

One of the rare California stations where you can take a structured guided tour of the grounds and outbuildings, paired with one of the largest elephant seal rookeries on the coast immediately to the south. The truncation story is its own piece of mid-century Coast Guard engineering history.

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Sources

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

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