Point Vicente Lighthouse: A Coastal Adventure Awaits
Local storytellers claim the Point Vicente Light Tower is home to a lady ghost who lost her lover at sea. However, realists offer a technical explanation, suggesting that the shadowy images resembling a woman are merely reflections from the third-order Fresnel lens atop the 67-foot tower.
We will leave it up to you to decide. Here are some tips to help you plan your adventure, perhaps with some paranormal intrigue, to a Los Angeles lighthouse with an interesting story.
Things to Do
The breathtaking views from the Point Vicente Lighthouse and the Palos Verdes Peninsula are truly captivating. If you’re searching for a romantic destination or simply relaxing surroundings, the Point Vicente Lighthouse location offers both in abundance. Consequently, if you’re offshore, the beam from Point Vicente Lighthouse’s powerful lens can be seen up to 20 miles at sea.
In addition to enjoying spectacular sunsets from the lighthouse, many visitors walk their dogs nearby or jog along the scenic trails. Trained docents also lead fascinating hikes in adjacent areas.
The view from the nearby cliffs is magnificent. This area is well-suited for enthusiastic whale watchers, especially from December through mid-May at the Interpretive Center’s 150-seat outdoor amphitheater. Therefore, taking binoculars is highly recommended for a closer glimpse of the magnificent migrating gray whales.
Point Vicente Lighthouse is also well-liked among Los Angeles locals, as it serves as the perfect escape from the concrete jungle, allowing individuals to enjoy a more natural setting without having to travel long distances.
The Lighthouse’s Dramatic Story
Shipmasters navigating this perilous stretch of coastline in the 1920s petitioned for a navigational light at Point Vicente. In 1926, it emerged as one of the most luminous landmarks along the coast. The original lens, crafted in France by Barbier & Bernard, arrived at Point Vicente after a 40-year stint in Alaska. It continues to be positioned 185 feet atop the structure, though it is now automated. Notably, it was listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites in 1979.
By 1939, the Coast Guard designated Point Vicente as their primary Southern California communication center, which also serves as the base for many rescue operations. Interestingly, the last light keeper left in 1971 when it became automated.
So bold and brilliant was the light that it was dimmed during World War II to prevent Japanese submarines from locating land. Even after the war’s conclusion, nearby residents complained about the brightness of the light. Consequently, light keepers painted the landward side of the lantern room a pearly opaque white to mitigate any neighborhood disputes.
How to Visit
The grounds and lighthouse are generally closed to the public; however, they open on selected dates. Nearby, the 10,000 square-foot Point Vicente Interpretive Center houses exhibits detailing the lighthouse’s history. The Center also features a theater and is known for guided tours led by enthusiastic volunteers. Admission to the museum is free and accessible daily.
The Lighthouse is located at 31550 Palos Verdes Drive, West Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, at the southwestern tip of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, near the intersection of Hawthorne Blvd. and Palos Verdes Drive. Visitors aged 18 and over are required to present a photo ID.
Note that fires and barbecues are prohibited on park grounds. For those bringing pets, please ensure that dogs remain on leashes at all times.
More California Lighthouses
Pt. Fermin Lighthouse, located in the Los Angeles area, is also open to the public. Its unique construction makes it a worthwhile destination for lighthouse enthusiasts.
