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.
Best season — Year-round coastal viewing; winter for gray-whale migration
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
State
California
Managed by
California State Parks
First lit
November 15, 1872
Tower height
115 feet
Tower access
Closed for restoration; viewable from grounds
On the ground
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
- California State Parks — Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park State parks agency
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