Tier 2 · Notable

Point San Luis Lighthouse

Point San Luis Light Station

Avila Beach · San Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

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. Docent-led tours only. Hike or shuttle from Port San Luis. Active USCG aid to navigation.

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.

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Piedras Blancas Light Station

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Sources

Officialpointsanluislighthouse.org
Officialpointsanluislighthouse.org/tickets
Secondarylighthousefriends.com/light.asp
Secondaryen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_San_Luis_Lighthouse
Imagescommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Point_San_Luis_Lighthouse.jpg

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