The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a charming remnant of 19th century San Diego. First constructed in 1854 and completed the following year, the Lighthouse fell into disuse four decades later because it didn’t function when fog was overhead. One of the first eight lighthouses on the California coast, the Old Point LomaLighthouse was relit in 1984 to celebrate the building’s 130th building.
Located at the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse has been completely restored to reflect the time period in which it was built. When you climb the spiral staircase, you will find the private quarters of the lightkeepers and their families preserved as they existed over a century ago. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse has a special place in California history, and it’s an emblematic icon of San Diego’s maritime culture.
A Cherished Historical Monument
President Wilson designated the tower as a National Monument, and it is now in the care of the U.S. Park Service. The tower features a two—tone, diaphone fog system, and it was the first lighthouse to be erected in Southern California. The lighthouse was built in the “Cape Cod Style”, with a spiral staircase that leading to the lantern room at the top of the building. The building also features a one—and—a—half story living space for the lightkeeper.
Around the Lighthouse
After you visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, there are a number of nearby attractions to visit, such as the sandstone monument honoring Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, he Portuguese navigator who was the first European voyager to reach the California coastline. You can also visit the museum adjacent to the Lighthouse, which is a period replica of the assistant keeper’s dwellings. The Lighthouse has the same hours of operation as Cabrillo National Monument: both sites are open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.
