Point Pinos Lighthouse
Lit since 1855 at the tip of the peninsula
⏱ 45 minutes👤 All ages$
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Point Pinos was one of the first lighthouses built on the West Coast after California statehood, and its survival in near-original form is unusual. The keepers' stories are well told, including that of Emily Fish, the so-called socialite keeper who ran the station in the late nineteenth century and entertained guests from Monterey society. The lighthouse is owned by the City of Pacific Grove and maintained with help from volunteers and the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
The visit craft: confirm the current opening days and hours before you go (they are limited and can change), and combine the visit with a walk along Ocean View Boulevard and the Asilomar Coast Trail. Drones, pets and ridden bikes are not permitted on the grounds; bikes must be walked to the small rack. Photographers love the lighthouse framed by the dunes and the neighboring golf links, especially in late afternoon light.
Practicals and fit: Asilomar Avenue and Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, about 10 minutes from downtown Monterey. Fit: lighthouse and history fans, families, and anyone exploring Pacific Grove's coast.
What to Expect
Format
A docent-staffed historic lighthouse and keeper's house with restored rooms and the original third-order Fresnel lens, set among dunes beside the Pacific Grove golf links.
Best Time
Check the limited opening days first; late afternoon light is best for photos, and a coastal walk before or after completes the visit.
Duration
About 30 to 45 minutes inside; longer with the surrounding coast.
Tips
Confirm opening days and admission on the official sites. Leave pets and drones at home and walk bikes on the grounds. Pair with the Asilomar Coast Trail and Lovers Point.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
A short, rewarding dose of West Coast maritime history.
Families
Kid-friendly and brief, with lighthouse lore and the coast right outside.
Couples
A charming stop on a Pacific Grove afternoon before a sunset walk.
Pair With
Asilomar State Beach and Lovers Point Park, both minutes away.
Time Needed
Under an hour, or a half day with the Pacific Grove coast.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Point Pinos the oldest lighthouse on the West Coast?
It is the longest continuously lit lighthouse on the West Coast, first lit in 1855. Alcatraz was lit earlier but went dark for a period, so Point Pinos holds the continuous record.
Is the lighthouse still working?
Yes. It remains an active aid to navigation, with an LED lamp shining through the original Fresnel lens since 2021.
When is it open?
Opening days and hours are limited and change from time to time. Check the City of Pacific Grove and Point Pinos Lighthouse websites before visiting.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets and drones are not allowed on the lighthouse grounds, and bicycles must be walked to the bike rack.
What else is nearby?
Asilomar State Beach, the Pacific Grove Golf Links, Lovers Point and the coastal path along Ocean View Boulevard are all within a few minutes.
More Monterey Attractions
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Asilomar State Beach
Pacific Grove's wild western shore: white-sand coves between granite reefs, rich tide pools, restored dunes and an easy coastal trail with some of the finest sunsets on the peninsula.
Lovers Point Park and Beach
A granite point and sheltered sandy cove in Pacific Grove with lawns for picnics, calm water for kayaks and paddleboards, sea otters offshore and the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail running past.
Monarch Grove Sanctuary
Pacific Grove's winter miracle — thousands of monarch butterflies clustering in a eucalyptus grove from October to February, hanging in living garlands that explode into orange flight when the sun warms them. Free, docent-staffed, fifteen quiet minutes.