Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

Visiting Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

• Hours: Open daily
• Reservations: Not required
• Cost: No admission fee
• Location: Between the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg, directions below
• How Long: Allow an hour or so
• Best Time to Visit: Any time, but skies are clearest in spring and fall

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse was built after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to help warn ships carrying lumber to the city away from the coastal shoals. Its lens was illuminated for the first time on June 10,1909, under head keeper Wilhelm Baumgartner. Many of the buildings from that time are still standing today.

The U. S Coast Guard took over from the U. S. Lighthouse Service in 1939, and Bill Owens (who also served at the Point Arena Lighthouse) was its last civilian lighthouse keeper.

The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse boasts a third order, British-built Fresnel lens by Chance Bros., that can be seen for 13-15 miles. The lighthouse has been under renovation since 1996.

Visiting Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

You can tour the restored lighthouse, the Lightkeeper's Home and Museum and the grounds, as well as the surrounding nature preserve. The Farmhouse Visitor Center at the parking area has an exhibit about the native Pomo Indians.

In 2006, the main lightkeeper's house was renovated and is now available for rental. It and two nearby cottages offer six rooms total. Call 866-937-6124 or 707-937-6124 or reserve online.

Getting to the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

Mendocino, CA 95468
707 937-6122
Website

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse is located on the Mendocino coast, two miles north of the town of Mendocino and six miles south of Fort Bragg on Point Cabrillo Drive off California Highway 1. Follow the signs from the highway.

After parking in the lot, you can get to the lighthouse two ways. Either walk down path that takes you out and along the cliffs or for a shorter and easier path, face the ocean, take the left path out of the lot and follow the paved road.