Here is a list of 35 lighthouses or light stations built in California. Among them are some old, historic places, and new lighthouse structures. When a new lighthouse is built, it is for esthetic purposes as GPS technology replaced the light beacon warning system, causing the decommission of light stations. In 1995 several California light stations were released from U.S. Coast Guard usage and given to the State of California Parks.

Alcatraz Island Lighthouse - 1909
Location: Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay.

Anacapa Island Lighthouse - 1932
Location: the entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel.

Battery Point / Crescent City Lighthouse - 1856
Location: at Battery Point Island

Bluff Lighthouse - 1892
Location: relocated from Humboldt Harbor

Cape Mendocino Lighthouse - 1868
Location: relocated from the coast to Shelter Cove

Carquinez Strait Lighthouse - 1910
Location: relocated from the Carquinez Strait entrance

East Brother Island Lighthouse - 1874
Location: off Point San Pablo at the San Francisco Bay

Farallon Island Lighthouse - 1855
Location: southeast of Farallon Island

Fort Point Lighthouse - 1864
Location: San Francisco Harbor entrance

Goat Island Lighthouse (Yerba Buena Island) - 1875
Location: on Goat Island in San Francisco Bay
Open to public? NO

Lime Point Lighthouse
Location: San Francisco Bay entrance

Long Beach Lighthouse - NEW
Location: Long Beach Harbor near Aquarium of the Pacific

Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse - 1913
Location: San Pedro Breakwater at Angels Gate

Oakland Harbor Lighthouse - 1903
Location: relocated from Oakland Harbor entrance

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse - 1879
Location: the northern entrance to the San Simeon Bay

Pigeon Point Lighthouse - 1872
Location: the southern approach to the San Francisco Bay

Point Arena Lighthouse - 1908
Location: 2 miles north of Point Arena

Point Bluff Lighthouse - 1956
Location: Angel Island at the San Francisco Bay

Point Bonita Lighthouse - 1877
Location: Point Bonita at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse - 1909
Location: between Point Arena and Cape Mendocino

Point Conception Lighthouse - 1882
Location: the west entrance to Santa Barbara Channel
Open to public: NO

Point Fermin Lighthouse - 1874
Location: in San Pedro, CA, at Point Fermin

Point Hueneme Lighthouse - 1941
Location: the east entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel
Open to the public: NO

Point Loma Lighthouse - 1891
Location: southern end of Point Loma
Open to the public: NO, Appointment

Point Loma Lighthouse - OLD - 1855
Location: southern end of Point Loma

Point Montara Lighthouse - 1928
Location: the southern approach to the San Francisco Bay

Point Pinos Lighthouse - 1855
Location: south entrance to Monterey Bay at a golf course in Pacific Grove

Point Reyes Lighthouse - 1870
Location: Gulf of Farallones

Point Sur Lighthouse - 1889
Location: Morro Rock in the Big Sur District

Point Vicente Lighthouse - 1926
Location: the north end of the Los Angeles Harbor in Palos Verdes

Port Harford Lighthouse (San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach) - - 1890
Location: in San Luis Bay

Punta Gorda Lighthouse - 1912
Location: 12 miles south of Cape Mendocino

Santa Cruz Lighthouse
Location: the Santa Cruz Harbor and was built as Surfing Museum

Southhampton Shoals Lighthouse - 1905
Location: relocated from San Francisco Harbor

St. George Reef Lighthouse - 1892
Location: 6 miles off Point St. George
Open to public: NO

Table Bluff Lighthouse - 1892
Location: 6 miles off Point St. George
Open to public: NO

Trinidad Head Lighthouse - 1871
Location: in Trinidad Harbor

Walton Lighthouse - NEW
Location: Santa Cruz Harbor

ALCATRAZ ISLAND LIGHT
Location: ALCATRAZ ISLAND/SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Nearest City: SAN FRANCISCO
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION IN NATIONAL PARK
Open to the Public: GROUNDS ONLY
Access: GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA/BOAT FROM FISHERMAN'S WHARF
Phone: 415-556-0560

ANACAPA ISLAND LIGHT
Location: ENTRANCE TO SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL
Nearest City: PORT HUENEME
Owner/Manager: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WITH U.S. COAST GUARD ACCESS TO OPTIC
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION IN NATIONAL PARK
Open to the Public: GROUNDS OPEN; ESCORTED TOURS AVAILABLE
Access: CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK/BOAT FROM VENTURA
Phone: 805-658-5700

BATTERY POINT (CRESCENT CITY) LIGHT
Location: BATTERY POINT ISLAND
Nearest City: CRESCENT CITY
Owner/Manager: DEL NORTE COUNTY
Current Use: PRIVATE AID TO NAVIGATION/MUSEUM
Open to the Public: TOWER AND MUSEUM OPEN APRIL 1 THROUGH SEPT 30 (TIDE PERMITTING)
Access: WEST SIDE OF HARBOR/FOOT OF "A" STREET
Phone: 707-464-3089

CARQUINEZ STRAIT LIGHT
Location: RELOCATED FROM CARQUINEZ STRAIT ENTRANCE
Nearest City: VALLEJO
Owner/Manager: PRIVATE OWNER
Current Use: MARINA
Open to the Public: GROUNDS ONLY
Access: GLEN COVE MARINA OFF HIGHWAY 780, 2000 GLEN COVE DRIVE

EAST BROTHER ISLAND LIGHT
Location: OFF POINT SAN PABLO/SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Nearest City: RICHMOND
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD LEASE TO EAST BROTHERS LIGHT, INC.
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION/BED & BREAKFAST
Open to the Public: BY APPOINTMENT
Access: BOAT FROM SAN PABLO YACHT HARBOR
Phone: 415-233-2385

LIME POINT LIGHT AND FOG SIGNAL STATION
Location: SAN FRANCISCO BAY ENTRANCE
Nearest City: SAUSALITO
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION
Open to the Public: GROUNDS ONLY
Access: HIKE FROM FORT BAKER PARKING LOT

OAKLAND HARBOR LIGHT
Location: RELOCATED FROM OAKLAND HARBOR ENTRANCE
Nearest City: OAKLAND
Owner/Manager: PRIVATE OWNER
Current Use: QUINNS LIGHTHOUSE RESTAURANT
Open to the Public:
Access: 1951 EMBARCADERO COVE
Phone: 510-536-2050

PIGEON POINT LIGHT
Location: SOUTHERN APPROACH TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Nearest City: PESCADERO
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD LEASE TO CALIFORNIA DEPT. OF PARKS & RECREATION/HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION/YOUTH HOSTEL/STATE HISTORIC PARK
Open to the Public: GROUNDS DAILY/TOWER OPEN FROM 11:00 TO 4:00 APRIL THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND 10:00 TO 3:00 OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH
Access: HIGHWAY 1 AND PIGEON POINT ROAD (25 MILES SOUTH OF HALF MOON BAY AND 25 MILES NORTH OF SANTA CRUZ
Phone: 650-879-0633 (LODGING); 650-879-2120 (TOURS)

LINK TO VIRTUAL TOUR

POINT ARENA LIGHT
Location: 2 MILES NORTH OF POINT ARENA
Nearest City: POINT ARENA
Owner/Manager: POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS, INC.
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION/MUSEUM/VACATION RENTALS
Open to the Public: MUSEUM OPEN DAILY (CALL FOR HOURS)
Access: 45500 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD NORTH OFF HIGHWAY 1
Phone: 707-882-2777

POINT BONITA LIGHT
Location: POINT BONITA/SAN FRANCISCO BAY ENTRANCE
Nearest City: SAUSALITO
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION IN NATIONAL PARK
Open to the Public: MONDAYS, 12:30-3:30 PM
Access: GOLDEN GATE NRA/OFF U.S. 101 (REQUIRES ONE-MILE WALK FROM PARKING LOT)
Phone: 415-331-1540

POINT CABRILLO LIGHT
Location: BETWEEN POINT ARENA & CAPE MENDOCINO
Nearest City: MENDOCINO
Owner/Manager: CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY/NORTH COAST INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION IN A NATURE PRESERVE
Open to the Public: PRESERVE OPEN SUNRISE TO SUNSET YEAR ROUND, DOCENT TOURS OF TOWER SUNDAY AT 11 AM DURING SUMMERS
Access: POINT CABRILLO PRESERVE--PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ONLY FROM ENTRANCE ON POINT CABRILLO DRIVE (LIGHT STATION IS 1/2 MILE FROM PRESERVE ENTRANCE)
Phone: (707) 937-0816

POINT FERMIN LIGHT
Location: POINT FERMIN/SAN PEDRO HARBOR
Nearest City: SAN PEDRO
Owner/Manager: CITY OF LOS ANGELES/POINT FERMIN LIGHTHOUSE COMMITTEE
Current Use: CITY PARK
Open to the Public: GROUNDS ONLY
Access: POINT FERMIN PARK/WEST OF PACIFIC AVE.

POINT LOMA LIGHT (OLD)
Location: CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Nearest City: SAN DIEGO
Owner/Manager: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Current Use: NATIONAL PARK
Open to the Public: OPEN DAILY 9-5 PM YEAR ROUND; 9-6 PM JULY 4 THROUGH LABOR DAY
Access: 1800 CABRILLO MEMORIAL DRIVE (ROUTE 209)
Phone: 619-557-5450

POINT MONTARA LIGHT
Location: SOUTHERN APPROACH TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Nearest City: MONTARA
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD LEASE TO CALIFORNIA DEPT OF PARKS & RECREATION
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION / YOUTH HOSTEL
Open to the Public: OPEN DAILY (4:30-9:30 PM)
Access: 16TH ST. & ROUTE 1 SOUTH
Phone: 415-728-7177

POINT PINOS LIGHT
Location: SOUTH ENTRANCE TO MONTEREY BAY
Nearest City: PACIFIC GROVE
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD / PACIFIC GROVE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION / MUSEUM / COAST GUARD HOUSING
Open to the Public: THURSDAY - MONDAY 1-4 PM
Access: LIGHTHOUSE AVE BETWEEN SUNSET DRIVE & ASILOMAR AVENUE
Phone: 831-648-5716

POINT REYES LIGHT
Location: GULF OF THE FARALLONES
Nearest City: INVERNESS
Owner/Manager: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE/U.S. COAST GUARD
Current Use: NATIONAL PARK EXHIBIT/ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION
Open to the Public: THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY (10-4:30)
Access: POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE/SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD. OFF U.S. 1 (REQUIRES 1/4-MILE WALK TO VISITOR CENTER AND 308 STEPS TO REACH LIGHTHOUSE)
Phone: 415-669-1534

POINT SUR LIGHT
Location: MORO ROCK, BIG SUR DISTRICT
Nearest City: BIG SUR
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD (TOWER)/CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS (REMAINING BUILDINGS)
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION IN STATE PARK
Open to the Public: GUIDED WALKING TOUR SATURDAY/SUNDAY YEAR ROUND; SEE WEB SITE FOR SUMMER SCHEDULE; ADMISSION CHARGE
Access: ROUTE 1 SOUTH OF CARMEL
Phone: 831-625-4419

POINT VICENTE LIGHT
Location: PALOS VERDES / NORTH OF LOS ANGELES HARBOR
Nearest City: RANCHO PALOS VERDES
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD
Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION / COAST GUARD HOUSING
Open to the Public: SECOND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM 10AM TO 4PM; FREE ADMISSION
Access: 31501 PALOS VERDES DRIVE WEST
Phone: (310) 541-0334

PUNTA GORDA LIGHT
Location: 12 MILES SOUTH OF CAPE MENDOCINO
Nearest City: PETROLIA
Owner/Manager: U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Current Use: HISTORIC SITE
Open to the Public: NON-VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ONLY
Access: 3-MILE HIKE THROUGH SAND AND ACROSS FOUR MILE CREEK FROM LIGHTHOUSE ROAD
Phone: 707-825-2300

SAN LUIS OBISPO (PORT HARFORD) LIGHT
Location: SAN LUIS OBISPO BAY
Nearest City: AVILA BEACH
Owner/Manager: PORT SAN LUIS HARBOR DISTRICT
Current Use: 805-541-TREK
Open to the Public: HIKING TRAIL DURING WEEKENDS BY APPOINTMENT
Access: 3.5 MILE HIKE ONE WAY
Phone: 805-541-8735 FOR HIKE APPOINTMENTS

TRINIDAD HEAD LIGHT
Location: TRINIDAD HARBOR
Nearest City: TRINIDAD
Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD
Current Use: COAST GUARD HOUSING
Open to the Public: GROUNDS ONLY
Access: OFF U.S. 101