Point Bonita Lighthouse
Marin County, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 331-1540
- Hours:
- Sat-Mon 12:30pm-3:30pm
Editorial Review for Point Bonita Lighthouse – by Koren Capozza
The Experience
To reap the rewards of this scenic lighthouse, be prepared for a harrowing trek. A cliff-side path takes visitors to a rustic tunnel that was hand-chiseled by Chinese laborers in 1876. The final obstacle to the lighthouse is a temperamental suspension bridge connecting two narrow spits of land. The lighthouse sits on the edge of a 124-foot ledge that plunges to jagged rocks and sea below.
The Background
Given its dicey location, the Coast Guard had a hard time recruiting staff to man the lighthouse. The strong winds, violent storms and powerful breakers that regularly assail the coastline scared some off, but in 1915, a determined assistant tethered his children to stakes when they played outdoors. A gust eventually blew his daughter over the steep cliffs towards the foaming sea, only to be saved by the makeshift leash--she dangled over the edge until her parents could pull her back onto solid ground.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
When to TGoThe Park Service offers moonlight tours during the summer months. Call (415) 556-0560 for more information.
Know Before You GoCheck out the fog signal on the tower, the West Coast's first. It was later replaced by a 1,500-pound bell that the keepers struck with a hammer.
The ExtrasThe lighthouse was built on steep, unstable ground because the initial structure, built further inland, could not be seen by sailors.
Users Like You Also Viewed
Fisherman's Wharf
The Embarcadero and Taylor St
San Francisco, CA 94133
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94114
