If you love lighthouses, wide windy beaches, and endless foggy coastlines, you should put Point Reyes Lighthouse on your travel list!

Located on the northern Californian coast in Marin County, Point Reyes Lighthouse is one of the windiest and foggiest stations in the United States. Actually, it’s the windiest place on the US Pacific Coast and the second foggiest in North America (after Newfoundland, Canada).

Point-reyes-lighthouse

How to get there

The lighthouse was built in 1870 and has been in operation for more than 100 years. It also has a twin lighthouse – the Cape Mendocino Light, unfortunately not open to the public.

There’s a half-mile walk to the visitor center from the parking lot, and from here, you need to take the approximately 300 stairs going down to the actual lighthouse. The descent is steep but with stunning views. Make sure to bring layered clothes because it can get very windy and also sunscreen for sunny days.

The visitor center and the lighthouse are open Friday to Monday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, weather permitting. If the winds are too strong, the stairs and the lighthouse are closed.

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Point Reyes

What to do and see at Point Reyes Lighthouse

See the Visitor Center and learn more about how the lighthouse was built and its 125-year history.

See evening illuminations of the lens inside the lighthouse – only happening on the first and third Saturdays of selected months (check their website for more info)

Whale and birds watching

Take stunning photos, no matter the weather

Visit the nearby beaches – Drakes Beach and South Beach

Visit the small historic town of Point Reyes

 

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