What is the best time of year to visit California lighthouses?

Late spring through early fall — roughly May through October — is the most reliable window for visiting California lighthouses. Winter brings closures and wind, and the Point Reyes Lighthouse requires a mandatory shuttle from January through April.

For most travelers, the window is May through October. Why:

• Wind closures are rarer. The exposed North Coast and Big Sur sites — including Point Reyes Lighthouse, Point Sur Light Station, and Point Arena Lighthouse — get closed or curtailed by winter storms and high winds.
• Point Reyes is easier. A mandatory shuttle runs from January through April due to access congestion and parking limits — late-spring and summer trips can drive directly.
• Gray-whale migration overlaps. The southbound run peaks December–February; northbound March–May. Pair migration viewing at Point Vicente with the other South Coast stations.

One winter exception: fog photography. December and January often produce the cleanest sea-level fog at Bay Area sites if that's what you're after.