Celebrating its 153rd Anniversary of lighting the way on the Pacific Coast in 2023 the Point Arena Lighthouse stands as an iconic figure on the landscape of the American Pacific Coast. No other lighthouse offers such a fully interactive experience in the exchange between history, science and natural beauty. Sometimes brilliantly sunny, other times fog-shrouded and mysterious, always ruggedly beautiful, the lighthouse is a place to find something different, a place where the romance is real and the experience is profound. Surrounded by water on three sides, and shouldered adjacent to the Point Arena-Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument, the Point Arena Lighthouse is the premiere visitor destination in Mendocino County. It is also one of the best whale watching spots on the North Coast, with the annual Gray Whale migration from late November through May, Humpbacks throughout the year, the occasional pod of transient Killer Whales and even Blue Whales. Watch for the spouts, tails and breaches from the bluffs, trails and gazebo.
Our Mission Statement
To maintain in perpetuity, the historic Point Arena Light Station – including the 23 coastal acres it encompasses, its 115 ft. Lighthouse Tower and its 1896 Fog Signal Building – for the inspiration, education and the enjoyment of all generations to come.
The Reason The Light Will Always Be On
Visitors often ask “why do we still have lighthouses in this day and age of GPS, satellite navigation, maritime electronics and the like?” The best answer we can give is this amazing voicemail we received in March 2017 from a long time mariner that got home safely because of our light. We will ALWAYS have the light shining brightly – we’re a Lighthouse and that’s why we’re here!
The Lighthouse is Hiring – $1,000 Signing Bonus!
The Lighthouse has openings for full and part-time Tour Associates. Please visit our Employment Opportunities page for information on the position and how to apply.
The Tower is Open for Tours Again!
Point Arena Lighthouse Full Moon by Tom Birdsell
The Lighthouse Tower is once again open to the public for tours! Tower Tours are available daily. All guests 12 years and older are required to pay the Site Visit Fee of $5 per person for admission to the Light Station Store, Fog Signal Building Museum and 23 acre Outdoor Museum. Tower Tours are available to guests 6 years and older for an additional fee of $5. Guests under 6 years old are not allowed on Tower Tours. Tours will be conducted approximately every 20 minutes, with the first Tour starting around 10:15 a.m. The last Tour will be presented around 3 p.m. (4 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day).
We have also resumed our Full Moon Night Tours! Night Tours are scheduled on the Saturday closest to every full moon if it doesn’t fall on a Saturday. Tickets are $50 per person. Click on this Night Tour link for information on the tours and how to make a reservation.
Masks are optional for all guests while in the Tower.
Light Station is OPEN!
Tasi the Lighthouse Dog
Arena Mina, the Lighthouse Cat
The Light Station Store, Fog Signal Building Museum, Outdoor Museum and now the Tower are once again open to the public! Masks are recommended but not required when visiting the Light Station Store and Fog Signal Building Museum, and when taking Tower Tours. Our seven vacation cottage and studios are still available for rent as well.
We are deeply grateful for the many generous donations we received during the various COVID related closures and the people that became Lifetime Members to help support us. You can make donations to help the 152 year old Light Station keep the light shining for generations to come!
Please cooperate with all County, State and Federal orders during this unprecedented crisis and be patient with and good to each other. Most of all, bring that positive coastal attitude and sense of humor to bear as much as you can!
Mark D. Hancock
Executive Director
Lighthouse Tower & Museum Virtual Tours
For those who can’t climb the tallest Lighthouse on the Pacific coast our ace 360 degree photographer Mike Chandler created an amazing 360 degree tour of the Tower from the ground floor to the Lantern Room at the top. He also created 360 degree tours of the Indoor Museum and one that combines both the Indoor Museum and the Tower. Click on the Tower image to the left to go to the Lighthouse Tour page and view these amazing video creations. Our thanks to Mike for creating this unique way for you to virtually explore the Light Station’s most iconic structures!
The United States Lighthouse Society coordinated a Zoom presentation where Point Arena Lighthouse Executive Director Mark Hancock gave a virtual tour of the historic Point Arena Light Station’s Indoor Museum and iconic Lighthouse Tower. This virtual tour is made possible by the amazing 360 degree camera work of Michael Chandler of Third Eye Visuals, who “drove” the tour while Mark presented the fascinating history and technology of the Point Arena Light Station. You can view the YouTube video of this virtual tour by clicking on the image to the right.
Sunset magazine puts the Keeper’s Apartment on its Top 10 Unique Vacation Rentals in the West!
SFGATE, the internet site of the San Francisco Chronicle, featured the Point Arena Lighthouse’s Keeper’s Apartment in its list of Top 10 Unique Vacation Rentals in the West. Check out ALL of our unique vacation cottages and come stay at the Lighthouse!