Point Pinos Lighthouse (1855), Pacific Grove

About Point Pinos Lighthouse (1855)

Point Pinos Lighthouse, established in 1855, stands in Pacific Grove as an active navigation aid maintained by the United States Coast Guard. Visitors tour the lighthouse and observe the Fresnel lens in the lantern room, which continues to function as a maritime aid to navigation. The site includes a navigation room and kitchen area, along with grounds where deer roam near the golf course. A foghorn display marks where the foghorn once stood by the water's edge, equipped with an interior switch that could be heard at considerable distance. Docents share stories of Coast Guard duties that included rounds checked with a clock-like punch device and regular maintenance of the Fresnel lens. The Heritage Society of Pacific Grove, a nonprofit organization formed in 1975, operates the site to foster appreciation of the city's historical and architectural resources. Visitors should note that service dogs are permitted, but drones require permits and bicycles must be walked to racks rather than ridden on the grounds.