Point Sur State Historic Park and Lightstation

An 1880s light station on a rock above Big Sur

⏱ 3 hours👤 All ages$$

The light first shone in 1889, and for decades keepers and their families lived on the rock, hauling water and supplies, tending the lens and raising children in one of the most isolated postings on the coast. The station was automated in the 1970s, and the volunteer group that runs the tours has spent years restoring the buildings. The stories are the heart of the visit: the docents know which family lived in which quarters, how the children got to school, and which nearby wrecks shaped the station's history, including the loss of the Navy airship Macon offshore in 1935.

The visit craft: confirm the current tour schedule with the park or the volunteer association before driving down, since times shift through the year and storms cancel tours. Arrive at least 30 minutes early at the meeting point (the farm gate on the west side of Highway 1, about a quarter mile north of the old naval facility), because spaces are limited and tours fill, especially on holidays. Bring water, a windproof layer, sturdy shoes and cash or a card for the fee. There are no reservations, no food service and limited restrooms; children under a certain age must be able to manage the climb.

Practicals and fit: Highway 1 in Big Sur, about 40 minutes south of Carmel. Highway 1 through Big Sur reopened fully in January 2026 after years of landslide repairs, but wildfire and storm work in 2026 has brought intermittent closures, so check Caltrans QuickMap before setting out. Pair the tour with Bixby Bridge and Garrapata on the way down, or Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park beyond. Fit: history and lighthouse fans, photographers and curious families.