Day-Use Area: 8am to Sunset
Visitor Center and Park Store:
Fridays--Mondays, 10am--4pm
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
Phone Number
(650) 879-2120
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
No
Except on leash at Pistachio Beach, north of Pigeon Point.
Driving Directions to Pigeon Point Light Station SHP
On California Highway 1, 20 miles south of Half Moon Bay and 27 miles north of Santa Cruz.Online reservations are not available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
13
Oct
Star Party
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Lodging
Lodging
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Geocaching
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Geocaching
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Pigeon Point Events
Stargazing for Peace
Friday, October 13 7:00pm-10:00pm
Come celebrate the beauty of dark skies at Pigeon Point! At 7:00pm, join us for a fascinating talk in the Pigeon Point Hostel on"The Importance and Wonder of Dark Skies." Following the talk, the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club will set up telescopes and help visitors stargaze off the Pacific Coast and the Fog Signal Building will be open to see the Fresnel lens light up the room. Stargazing may be canceled in case of heavy of fog and rain. The Dark Skies talk and Fog Signal Building will be open regardless.
Please remember to dress warmly and in layers. It can be chilly at night. No flash photography or flashlights. Red-beamed flashlights are fine. Feel free to bring folding chairs, blankets, and hot beverages to stay warm while stargazing.
Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Free event. For more information, call (669) 758-1155. Event made possible by Coastside State Parks Association, California State Parks, Hosteling International USA, and The Santa Cruz Astronomy Club
Visit Pigeon Point Virtually!
Explore inside the Pigeon Point Lighthouse while it's closed for restoration! CyArk, in partnership with San Mateo County, Coastside State Parks Association, and California State Parks have created a 3D, 360 degree narrated tour of the the historic buildings and grounds at Pigeon Point for the 150th anniversary of the light station.
Volunteers Needed at the Lighthouse!
Are you interested in history? Do you like sharing stories and meeting new people? California State Parks is looking for volunteers interested in working at one of the tallest lighthouses on the west coast – the historic 115-foot tall Pigeon Point Lighthouse! Call (650) 879-2120 or email Volunteers.PigeonPoint@parks.ca.gov for more information.
View our guided hikes and other public programs schedule and make a reservation by visiting our Parks Events page!
Visiting Pigeon Point Light Station
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Perched on a cliff on the central California coast, 50 miles south of San Francisco, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the tallest lighthouses in America, has been guiding mariners since 1872. Its five-wick lard oil lamp, and first-order Fresnel lens, comprised of 1,008 prisms, was first lit at sunset, November 15, 1872. The lens stands 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and weighs 2,000 pounds. Now on display in the fog signal building, it sat in a lantern room constructed at the Lighthouse Service's general depot in New York before being shipped around the Horn. Although the original Fresnel lens is no longer in use, the lighthouse is still an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation using an automated LED beacon.The coastal areas surrounding Pigeon Point Light Station are rich with life. Marine mammals, such as seals and whales, can be seen regularly from shore as they pass by beyond the surf. The intertidal zone along this part of the coast, particularly in the rocky reefs that flank the light station, contains a diverse and numerous variety of plant and animal life.
Lighthouse Closed for Repairs
In December 2001, a section of the iron belt course on the exterior of the lighthouse fell off. The lighthouse will remain closed until the structure can be restored. The lighthouse may still be viewed from the grounds. For more information go to Lighthouse Restoration
Activities
Tours: Half hour guided history walks around the lighthouse grounds are available staff permitting, or upon request by calling (650) 879-2120
Basic Park Information
ROCKY POINT around Pigeon Point lighthouse is closed to all visitors to prevent erosion and protect nesting birds.
DOGS are not permitted on the lighthouse grounds (except for service animals).
ADMISSION & PARKING is free.
SMOKING is not permitted in the park.
DRONES are not allowed in the park. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Gliders in flight.
FACILITIES — The park has restrooms near the parking lot and limited picnic tables. A park store is located in the historic carpenter's shop. A small public beach is located 100 yards from the main parking lot.
PIGEON POINT HOSTEL is run by Hostelling International for guests who are interested in staying overnight. For more information and reservations, please click here.
WEDDING & SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS: SMPermits@parks.ca.gov or (650) 726-8819
FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY PERMITS: SMFilmPermits@parks.ca.gov or (650) 726-8815