Point Sur Lighthouse

Jutting out into the Pacific Ocean from the spectacular Big Sur Coast, the Point Sur Lightstation stands as a silent sentinel to a by-gone era. Point Sur, a National Historic Landmark, is the only complete turn-of-the-century light station open to the public in California.

From 1899 until 1974, families lived and worked in the buildings atop Point Sur. Today Point Sur is a ghost town. The unique stone lighthouse still guides ships with its light, though it is now totally automated.

For the first time ever the Point Sur Naval Facility is now open for walking tours. It is the only remaining complete, stand alone (SOSUS) Naval Facility (from the Cold War) on the west coast. As part of the Point Sur State Historic Park, restoration is beginning and limited access is possible.

Lighthouse as seen from the ocean with Pico Blanco in the background. (Photo by Brock Bradford.)