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The Point Reyes Lighthouse is in the westernmost section of Point Reyes National Seashore. There, you will find a visitor center with displays on the light’s history as well as the whales and other marine life that can be seen from the observation deck. My cousin and I were lucky enough to see Gray Whales migrating past the lighthouse one visit, many years ago.
As of this writing, the lighthouse, which was built in 1870, was closed for an extensive restoration which began in August of 2018. This section of the park was scheduled to reopen in December 2019, but if you are planning a visit, it’s best to check the NPS website. Or call… there have been two occasions when we showed up and found the lighthouse closed without announcement on the site.
To get from the parking lot to the visitor center, you must walk up a steep half-mile path. Then, to get to the lighthouse, you must descend 308 scary, steep steps. This is the equivalent of 25 stories, so remember, you will have to climb back up and there are no restrooms down below. We were glad to have made the trip as we spent some time speaking with the ranger inside the lighthouse and looking at the exhibits there.
Point Reyes Posts:
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Point Reyes Lighthouse
- Tomales Point Trail
Location: 27000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, CA 94937
Designation: National Seashore
Date established/designated: September 13, 1962
Date of my visit: August 15, 2012
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