Ever since the first lighthouse was built, the Pharos of Alexandria in Egypt, around 280 BC, these seemingly simple constructions have helped sailors across the world navigate our oceans. They have guided great discoveries, battles, conquests, and the trade routes that shaped the world as we know it today. Lighthouses are essential for maritime navigation, marking the entrances to ports and warning of dangerous geographic features.
Located in Pacific Grove, Monterey County, in Central California, about five hours north of L.A., the Point Pinos Lighthouse holds the title of the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, still shining to this day, as Lighthouse Friends website explains.
Inaugurated on February 1, 1855, Point Pinos predates the official unveiling of none other than the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 1886. This lighthouse is historically valuable not only for being one of the earliest built, but also because it is still preserving its original lens.
Beyond this curious fact, the story behind Point Pinos is just as remarkable. In 1852, the U.S. Treasury ordered seven lighthouses along the California coast, including one at Point Pinos to mark the treacherous southern entrance to Monterey Bay. Construction began the following year and was completed two years later.
Once it was first lit, the beacon used a whale oil lantern, later replaced by lard oil, then kerosene in 1880, and eventually electric lights in 1919. Over the years, several keepers tended the light, but the most famous was Emily Fish, known as the “Socialite Keeper,” who served from 1893 to 1914. After more than a century of manual operation, automation arrived in 1975, and the lighthouse has continued to shine ever since with a distinctive 4-second cycle.
Visitors today can explore Point Pinos’ grounds, enjoy panoramic Pacific views, and learn about its history through a small museum and informational plaques, making it a perfect stop for history buffs and coastal explorers alike.