Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
4.5
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
OPEN 365 DAYS a YEAR -- THERE IS NO FEE -- Built between 1908 and 1909, and extensively restored, it is one of the most complete Lightstations in the U.S. and hosts visitors, vacation rentals, receptions and weddings, plus education programs for classes of local students. There is a parking area inside the gate off Point Cabrillo Drive, adjacent to the restored Kearn farmhouse with its public restroom. Enjoy the half mile downhill walk to the Light Station buildings. There is parking for vehicles with Disabled placards at the bottom of the hill. There are two paths to the Station. The dirt path begins at the north end of the parking lot and takes you through the introduced grassland and coastal prairie. The paved access road to the south is an easier walk. The Light Station includes the Lighthouse, which is an active duty Aid to Navigation, containing the original Chance Brothers classic 3rd order Fresnel lens. -- Three restored Lightkeeper homes; the first is a period museum of a lightkeeper's house in the 1930s; the other two houses are comfortable vacation rental homes, -- The restored Blacksmith & Carpentry Shop houses the Marine Science Exhibit with its 240 gallon saltwater aquarium, -- Two lovely vacation rental cottages, and public restrooms, one by the lightkeepers houses and another in the Kearn farmhouse. THERE IS NO FEE to tour the Lighthouse museum/giftshop or the period museum lightkeeper's house, although your donations are welcome. The Lighthouse, 1st Assistant Lightkeeper's House and Marine Science Exhibit are open to the public from 11am to 4pm year-round, including holidays. The State Historic Park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset daily.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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711 reviews
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Jeanne T
El Centro, CA18 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
The Point Cabrillo museum, lighthouse & monument are not to be missed. We visited with 4 grandchildren & they were quite interested in the museum interactive exhibits . Many aspects were hands on & they enjoyed the short movie about whale migration. They were amazed by the tiny living spaces in the lighthouse.
Written March 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
giveoccasionto
Reno, NV66 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
The hike down to the lighthouse was very nice. We thought the large 5$ donation sign outside of the so called museum/gift shop was way too tacky for us to go in. Had they just had a small donation box inside we probably would have donated something if we enjoyed the experience. Our dogs really enjoyed the hike as well.
Written January 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maryann L
Fair Oaks, CA1,328 contributions
Jun 2023
There is much to see on this rugged and beautiful coast. The Light Station is quite charming. The first floor is a very nice gift shop operated by volunteers. There are several hiking trails with great ocean views.Look for wildlife. We saw deer. There is a small museum, an aquarium and marine science exhibit and four restored houses that can be booked for vacation rentals. They are the Head Keeper's House, The Assistant Keeper's House and 2 smaller Keeper's cottages. The Light Station is just off Highway One between Mendocino and Fort Bragg. It is an easy half mile walk from the parking lot to the Light Station
Written June 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jola O
Las Vegas, NV520 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Loved this lighthouse. January 2023, a storm brought tall waves into the lighthouse and damaged the gift shop and took much of the merchandise into the sea. They are in the process of painting the lighthouse and replacing windows.
The assistant keepers house is open to walk through, the keepers house is a B&B. Jo-Ann, the docent, at the assistant keepers house is lovely and so knowledgeable about the lighthouse and the area.
The parking lot is .5 miles away an you need to walk down a hill to get to the lighthouse and keepers houses. Handicap parking is located closer to the lighthouse.
Beautiful walk and lovely
The assistant keepers house is open to walk through, the keepers house is a B&B. Jo-Ann, the docent, at the assistant keepers house is lovely and so knowledgeable about the lighthouse and the area.
The parking lot is .5 miles away an you need to walk down a hill to get to the lighthouse and keepers houses. Handicap parking is located closer to the lighthouse.
Beautiful walk and lovely
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seattle1213
Houston, TX11 contributions
Nov 2021
This small and historic lighthouse was filled with treasures and a nice gift shop. Wish I could have gone up to see the light. It is very unique Chance Brothers classic 3rd order Fresnel lens. Only drawback, the parking is 1/2 a mile away.
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1948~Ford
Auburn, CA171 contributions
Jul 2023
A long walk from the parking lot (unless you have a handicap plaque), but well worth it. An interesting and scenic place with incredible cliffs and ocean views. It is a functioning lighthouse and you can NOT go up into the second story. The museum is on the lower level.
Other buildings are on the historical property too.
Other buildings are on the historical property too.
Written July 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deannaam76
4 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
What a BEAUTIFUL scenery! I was really looking forward to getting to the top of the lighthouse, however, when we got there it was closed and only available to the Coast Guard. The sight was worth seeing and also learned a lot inside the gift shop, talked about the lighthouse history. Was a 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot as the lower parking lot is for handicap and has a few regular spaces.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMC
San Anselmo, CA21 contributions
Oct 2020
A nice easy stroll to the lighthouse ending with spectacular views on the bluff & more trails to explore. Due to COVID, the lighthouse itself was not open nor was the museum. Gift shop purchases could be made through the open window around the left side of the lighthouse. There was a mask covered docent available to answer questions outside around the lighthouse and another mask covered docent manning the giftshop window. Both were friendly & we appreciated them being present. Several nice bluff trails lead off from the lighthouse itself. We took the trail to Frolic Cove, the site of an historic shipwreck. We plan to return when other sites can be open to enjoy.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrankieandtheWorld
Almelo, The Netherlands2,335 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
During our road trip through Western USA in June 2024, we visited the coast for a long time. A beautiful trail leads from the free parking lot to the beautiful Point Carillo Lighthouse. Together with the jagged coastline a great picture! Definitely worth a visit!
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Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lois C
1 contribution
Jul 2022
Point Cabrillo lighthouse is such a treasure. We loved the walk out to the lighthouse with beautiful grounds and captivating views of the Pacific. The light-keepers houses were so charming. The lighthouse itself was so wonderful, we learned about the making of the lighthouse and how it works. We were very impressed.
The gift shop had everything for every one. Another treasure inside a treasure! Loved our visit!
The gift shop had everything for every one. Another treasure inside a treasure! Loved our visit!
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, CaliforniaJan. What would you like to know about this attraction? TamSelz advises everyone to drive on past the "disabled parking past this point" signs and park your able body in the disabled parking area. (This was called "A Tip".) And then goes on to state how disappointing it was because the stairs up to the top of the lighthouse were not available. (Too bad there wasn't an elevator for the disabled!!) And "if it had been warm, we PROBABLY would have parked properly but it was windy and rainy". (Talk about being the most self-centered, selfish person in California.)
Written February 28, 2017
It's a long walk but worth it. If one is physically unable to and with a disable placard, I would drive it all the way to the lighthouse parking. Whether there is space or not, the fact is one is legally disable, I'd find a spot if that was me. I saw an older lady who was unable to return back. She told her husband to come back for her in their car. One park employee gave her a ride back. The park needs more parking for those unable to walk that distance whether they have the placard or not especially the elderly. Our senior citizens should be given leniency to drive it.
Written March 1, 2017
I see the question has been answered. A little more info, there are several trails leading to and from the lighthouse, but ticks are a real problem. Recommend staying on the main road, especially if you have dogs with you. Also take water.
Written August 13, 2016
Yes, pets are welcome on a leash on the grounds, inside the lighthouse, and with overnight guests in the West Cottage.
Written August 4, 2015
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