Tier 1 · Essential · ★ Flagship 12

Point Vicente Lighthouse

Point Vicente Light Station

Rancho Palos Verdes · Los Angeles County · Southern California

Point Vicente Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the Southern California coast of California, first lit in 1926, owned by U.S. Coast Guard. It is one of the twelve flagship stations of The Lighthouse Circuit. This lighthouse is part of the Flagship 12 circuit.

Active aidstandingPublic accesseasyU.S. Coast Guard

Point Vicente Lighthouse on the cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula — Photo: Mike Quach· CC BY-SA 3.0· Wikimedia Commons

⚠ Verify before you drive

CONFLICT: Verify whether original third-order Fresnel lens is still in active use or has been replaced with modern optic. Verify current interpretive center hours.

Year first lit

1926

Current structure built

1926

Tower height

67 ft

Focal plane

185 ft

Optic

Third-order Fresnel lens (original; still in active use)

Light characteristic

Fl W 2s (flashing white every 2 seconds)

Owner

U.S. Coast Guard

Manager

USCG (tower); City of Rancho Palos Verdes (grounds and museum)

Coordinates

33.7420, -118.4103 Map

Current hours

Interpretive Center: second Saturday of each month 10am–3pm (verify current schedule with city)

Fees

Free

NRHP listed

Yes

History

Built 1926 on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. One of the most photographed lighthouses in California. Known for the 'Lady of the Light' legend (ghost stories). Active USCG aid to navigation.

Why it matters

Visually striking white tower on dramatic cliffs above the Pacific. One of the most recognizable lighthouse silhouettes in California. Active light. Adjacent to whale migration corridor.

The visit

Grounds open daily. Interpretive center open second Saturdays. Tower not open. Excellent whale watching from adjacent bluffs (Dec–Apr). Terranea Resort nearby for dining.

Logistics

Recommended base

Torrance, Redondo Beach, or Long Beach

Nearby food / coffee

Terranea Resort (on-site dining), local Rancho Palos Verdes restaurants

Nearby lodging

Terranea Resort (adjacent), hotels in Torrance or Redondo Beach

Accessibility

Grounds accessible. Tower interior not open to public (active USCG aid). Interpretive center open on second Saturdays.

Flagship 12 anchor for Southern California. Easy access, high photography value, active light. Pairs with Point Fermin and LA Harbor Light for a full Southern CA day.

Nearby lighthouses

Point Fermin Lighthouse

San Pedro, Southern California

Tier 1InactivePublic accesseasy⚠ Verify

The WWII blackout story is unique in California lighthouse history. The Victorian architecture is extraordinary — unlike any other lighthouse in the state. Free museum with original Fresnel lens.

Los Angeles Harbor Light

San Pedro, Southern California

Tier 2Active aidRestricteddifficult

The green tower is one of the most visually distinctive working lighthouses in the country. It defines the visual entrance to the busiest port on the West Coast and the city's harbor identity. Pairs visually with Point Fermin a few miles up the coast.

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Sources

Image rights: City of RPV images may require permission. Wikimedia Commons has CC-licensed images. USCG images generally public domain.

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