The longest continuously lit lighthouse on the West Coast, still using its original third-order Fresnel lens, shipped around Cape Horn aboard a wooden bark (barque) before the Panama Canal existed.

Its light source evolved from using whale oil to lard oil, then kerosene, pressurized kerosene, incandescent, and halogen illumination. Since June 9, 2021, a 200-watt LED has shone through the original lens with a characteristic of three seconds on and one second off.

Alcatraz was lit first in California, but its original lighthouse and lens are no longer in service. The Point Pinos team reports that no wreck has ever occurred because its light was out.

  Inside the Point Pinos Lighthouse

Navigation

  Before GPS (which can fail), navigation was by line of site, compass, sextant and good maps. Could you find your way?

The Story of Point Pinos Lighthouse, Wrecks

  As told by Keeper Emily Fish. could you be a keeper? Keep the light lit (at night).

Kitchen 1920s

  Wood/coal stove, ice box (as in block of ice), lots of substitutes for what we use now (like lard in fruit cake), home garden. Could you make a meal?

Parlor 1890s

  Piano, model ship building, painting, needle work, reading, stereopticon, simple B&W camera. Could you survive without electricity, cell phones, internet?

Coast Guard and WWII

  The enemy is upon us and potentially among us. Could you spot and stop them? With simple 1940 tech, dogs, artillery, hand made models?

Watch Room

  Keepers spent a lot of time in this room, watching the ships come and go. Could you spot a ship in trouble?

Keeper Bedroom

  Could you pack your entire personal life into a small bedroom, with desk, dresser, minimal personal clothing and belongings?

Up to see the light!

  Same lens since 1855, but now with a 200 watt LED. Irreplaceable. And we still clean it by hand.

 

MORE INFORMATION:   detailed schematic       keeper tech

 

  How to find us: See Google Maps

Make a Day of it:

  Discover Point Pinos Heritage Map (PDF)

     - Other Local Attractions (PDF)

 

 Natural History

The Point Pinos Lighthouse grounds are a favorite location for bird watchers as well as for regularly seeing deer and other local wildlife.

There are plant boards describing our plants at set locations

 

Highly recommended:

  Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

    They have guides for birds/butterflies for purchase.

    Monarch Sanctuary monarchs are typically seen late October through March

The United States Coast Guard is responsible for the light and Fresnel lens in the lantern room and is part of the Department of Homeland Security

The City of Pacific Grove and volunteers maintain the museum and grounds below the light.

MORE:   We are still an active aid to Navigation in 2026