Name and Location

The Point Sur Lighthouse marks a rugged promontory on the Big Sur coast of central California. Officially known as Point Sur Light Station, it has guided mariners since 1889 and today serves both as an active Coast Guard aid to navigation and as a historic museum open by guided tour.

Its location is at Oil House, Monterey, CA 93940, USA with coordinates 36°18′22.8″ N, 121°54′06.1″ W (decimal 36.3063263, –121.9016965). The lighthouse can be found perched atop a 350-foot basalt outcrop just west of Highway 1, 13 miles north of Lucia in Monterey County's Big Sur region.

2. Construction and History

The Point Sur Lighthouse was constructed during the late 19th century U.S. Lighthouse Board program. The year built/first lit is 1889 (first lit on January 1, 1889). It was staffed by resident keepers until automation in 1972. Prior to the tunnel road, supplies were brought by surfboat; numerous shipwrecks in the vicinity—including the schooner Oliver Codman (1923)—underscored the light's necessity.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a conical tower with attached oil-house and fog-signal building, keeper's dwellings in Victorian vernacular style. The materials used are riveted cast-iron plates lined with brick; low-profile auxiliary buildings of native stone and wood. The tower height is 38 ft (11.6 m) above its granite foundation. The focal plane is 250 ft (76.2 m) above mean high water.

4. Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is Flashing White, once every 10 seconds («Fl W 10 s»). The range is 25 nautical miles. Reference numbers include USCG Light List No. 280; Admiralty G3724. Nautical chart: NOAA Chart 18750 (California and Oregon coasts). Automation was electrified and automated in 1972.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse by advance reservation only, typically weekends. Tours depart at 10 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. The site is not wheelchair accessible (steep access road, 90-step tower stair). Restrooms are available at the parking area. Light-station buildings are restored as museum exhibits (keeper's quarters, fog-signal room, oil-house).

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse surrounds are characterized by native chaparral, coastal scrub, and dramatic Pacific Ocean panorama; adjacent Fort Point Sur defensive battery (c. 1889).

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

First keeper Henry G. Brannigan served nearly three decades, keeping detailed diaries now on exhibit. Ghost stories include some staff reporting hearing phantom footsteps in the tunnel and seeing "light flickers" in rooms long after lights-out.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is maintained by U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco and features an AIS transponder and RACON installation (Radar Beacon) confirmed by USCG modern light station standards.

9. Further Information

The Point Sur Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Point Sur Light Station (NRHP ref. no. 87001185). It is managed by California State Parks in partnership with the non-profit Point Sur Lighthouse Keepers, Inc.