A classic lonely tower on a rocky spur, showing intrepid mariners the light since 1872.

by Contributor

Overview
This archetypal 115-foot tower is one of the main landmarks along Highway 1 between the Bay Area and Santa Cruz, dominating the relatively flat coastline north and south of Pigeon Point.

The Background
First put into service in 1872, the lighthouse still serves as a U.S. Coast Guard navigation station, although most of the grounds have been converted into a hostel. While the hostel's amenities certainly aren't high-end, the prices fall somewhere below low-end ($18 per night) and the scenery is transcendental. The lighthouse grounds are open for self-guided tours every day, and docent-led tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays.