Location: Point Piedras Blancas San Simeon California Coordinates: 35°39′56.3″N 121°17′03.6″W Year first constructed: 1875 Automated: 1975 Foundation: Masonry basement Construction: Brick tower Tower shape: Conical tower Markings / pattern: White tower, black trim Tower height: 70 feet (21 m) Focal height: 142 feet (43 m) Original lens: First order Fresnel lens made by Henri Lapaute Current lens: VRB-25 Range: 21 nautical mile Characteristic: Flashes White every 10sec.
I was here on December 26 2019, I got a distant view from the road. There was a ground mist or fog during the time I was there. I visited again on February 22 2022
To see the lens: From the lighthouse, follow Highway 1 south to Cambria and turn left at the Moonstone Beach Drive/Main Street traffic light. Turn right to stay on Main Street, and the lens will be on your right after a few blocks. The lens is lit and actually rotates on Fridays between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday evenings from 7:37 p.m. to 8:37 p.m.
Earthquake damage forced removal of the upper 3 floors
The lighthouse is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Grounds/tower open during tours, dwellings closed.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 3 1991
Access: Car. It can be seen from the road and tours are offered Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.
Coordinates are for reference only, do not use for navigation