How long does it take to visit all California lighthouses?

Visiting all 49 California lighthouses is a multi-week project across San Diego, the South Coast, Central Coast, Bay Area, North Coast, and Lake Tahoe. The Flagship 12 — the statewide circuit from Old Point Loma to St. George Reef — is realistic in 7 to 10 driving days.

All 49 California lighthouse sites can't be done in one trip without compromise. The coast is roughly 840 miles end to end, the Bay Area system is its own cluster, and a handful of sites require ferry rides, low-tide windows, or pre-booked guided tours.

Realistic time estimates:

• The Flagship 12 — 7 to 10 days. The statewide circuit from Old Point Loma in San Diego to St. George Reef off Crescent City. See the Flagship 12 itinerary.
• Tier 1 — about two weeks if you want every essential station with time for guided tours and overnight stays.
• All 49 — three to four trips over a season. Pair regional circuits — South Coast, Central Coast, Bay Area, North Coast, Lake Tahoe — with the Flagship 12 backbone. See all circuits.

The bottleneck is rarely driving time — it's access. Several sites require reservations or fixed-schedule tours that anchor the rest of your week — Point Sur Light Station (three-hour guided tour, set departures only), East Brother Light Station (boat access and overnight only), and Point Reyes Lighthouse (mandatory shuttle January through April).