Local Lighthouses

Where can you enjoy some of the most dramatically beautiful coastal views? Light this way! From overnight stays to full moon displays, here are five lighthouses worth a wander.

Week: 03.08.2018
Regions: Northern CA

Point the Way

Point Bonita Lighthouse Full Moon Night Tours

Perched on a remote promontory 124 feet above the ocean, with its dramatic setting and expansive views, Point Bonita Lighthouse lures day-visitors throughout the year. But on full-moon nights, ranger-led tours reveal an even more dramatic place. Waves crash below and the city shi
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Gray's in Fashion

Whale Watching at Pigeon Point Light Station on San Mateo Coast

Built in 1872, Pigeon Point Lighthouse is an iconic mainstay on the San Mateo Coast. Go in winter and get a big bonus: you might spy a gray whale migrating. Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is one of the best places for spying them.
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Wildflowers & Wine!

Top 10 Wildflower Hikes in Sonoma County

Wildflowers and wine—now that’s a pairing! Go to the place that’s best in blooms and tasting rooms. Sonoma County’s miles of rolling open space and coastline burst with vibrant wildflowers in spring. We’re talking more colors than a double rainbow: poppies on parade, snowy milkma
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Light at the End of the Road

Visit Point Cabrillo Light Station for Whale Watching and Big Coastal Views

Looking for the light at the end of the road? How about a light station?! Dramatically perched at the tip of a headland and surrounded by 30 acres of open space, Point Cabrillo Light Station is legendary for more than its picturesque location with sweeping views of the Pacific. T
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Vantage Point

Point Arena Light Station and Gray Whales

Point Arena Light station
What's the secret for spying gray whales during winter's migration season? Location, location, location! And location doesn't get any better than from the top of the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast. The historic 115-foot Lighthouse Tower at Point Arena Light Station in Mendo
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Purely Purisima

    Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

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  2. Muir Woods Night Tour

    Thousands of people flock to Muir Woods every year, yet only a few see it at night, when this beloved park is experienced in a whole new light. The Muir Woods Night Tour happens on the last Friday of every month through October.

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  3. Slide Ranch Marin

    Slide On Over

    Marin's Slide Ranch has a popular neighbor in the Muir Beach Overlook. But don’t overlook Slide! This open-to-the-public nonprofit organization sits on 134 acres of coastline and is filled with animals, Pacific scenery, and an adjacent hiking trail.

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  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

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  2. Lookout Ahead!

    A 3.7-mile loop hike to Boucher Hill Fire Lookout in Palomar Mountain State Park reminds us just how stunningly beautiful are the mountains of this remote, lightly visited portion of northern San Diego County.

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  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

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  4. Strawberry Peak Lookout Hike

    Strawberry Sunday

    The 2.5-mile (round-trip) lollipop loop climb to the Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout near the town of Lake Arrowhead dishes up some delicious views.

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