Pigeon Point Lighthouse: A Pacific-Coast RV Traveler's Guide
PickRV Editorial
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Pigeon Point Lighthouse rises 115 feet above the bluffs of the San Mateo County coast, roughly midway between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, California. First lit in 1872 and now a California State Parks unit — Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park — it is one of the tallest lighthouses in America and an unmistakable landmark on Highway 1.
Can you visit Pigeon Point Lighthouse on a California RV trip?
Yes. Pigeon Point Light Station is a California State Parks site on Highway 1, and the lighthouse can be viewed from the grounds. The tower itself is closed for restoration, so check California State Parks for current access before you go.
- ·First lit November 15, 1872
- ·115-foot tower — one of the tallest in America
- ·Tower closed for restoration; viewable from the grounds
State
California
Managed by
California State Parks
First lit
November 15, 1872
Tower height
115 feet
Tower access
Closed for restoration; viewable from grounds
Pigeon Point has guided mariners since its five-wick lard-oil lamp was first lit at sunset on November 15, 1872. The slender white tower is a defining sight on this stretch of the San Mateo coast and a favorite stop for travelers heading up or down Highway 1.
California State Parks began a restoration of the tower in 2024, so the lighthouse interior is closed — but the bluff-top grounds remain open, and the lighthouse can still be admired and photographed from the surrounding park land above the surf.
The coast here is rugged and exposed, with tide pools, seabirds, and winter gray-whale sightings offshore. Confirm current grounds hours and any closures with California State Parks, and plan your rig around the coastal towns nearby.
Official sources
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