What is the best California lighthouse road trip itinerary?

The best statewide California lighthouse road trip is The Flagship 12 — twelve essential stations from Old Point Loma in San Diego to St. George Reef off Crescent City. It runs the full length of the state and works as a 7- to 10-day drive, or as a series of regional weekends.

For most travelers, The Flagship 12 is the right answer — twelve stations from Old Point Loma in San Diego to St. George Reef off Crescent City. It runs the full state and works as a 7- to 10-day drive or as a series of regional weekends.

The twelve stops, south to north:

1. Old Point Loma — San Diego
2. Point Vicente — Rancho Palos Verdes
3. Point Conception — Santa Barbara County
4. Point Sur Light Station — Big Sur
5. Point Pinos — Pacific Grove
6. Pigeon Point — Pescadero
7. Point Montara — San Mateo coast
8. Point Bonita — Marin Headlands
9. Point Reyes — Point Reyes National Seashore
10. Point Arena — Mendocino County
11. Point Cabrillo — Mendocino
12. St. George Reef — Crescent City

For shorter trips, regional circuits — Southern California, Central Coast, Bay Area, North Coast — break the Flagship 12 into long weekends. See the full list of circuits.