This is a historial post from Hiking the California Trail, a 1998/2002 book set by Bob Lorentz and Richard Nichols. Where possible an update has been provided.
California’s rugged 1200-mile coastline has long been renowned for the fury of its hazardous waters and the deception of its offshore reefs and rocks. Only after California entered the United States in 1850 Was any effort made to provide navigational aids. In 1854 Alcatraz Island Lighthouse in San Francisco Bay became the Golden State’s first, soon followed by Fort Point inside the Golden Gate, Farallon Island 25 miles outside the Gate, and Point Loma near San Diego, four of the original eight west coast lighthouses. By 1900 48 lighthouses guided ships along the California shore.
Today 33 of these still stand, with 25 operational. The California Coastal Trail passes by or at least comes within view of most of them. In San Mateo County, the CCT passes two lighthouses converted to hostels where you can spend the night. Only two of the 14 lighthouses on the California coast between Monterey and Mexico allow visitors during specific days and hours. In Pacific Grove on CCT Section Monterey 4, it’s easy to stop by and see the 1855-era Point Pins Lighthouse. The oldest continuously operating light station on the west coast, it allows visitors every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm.
You’ll need to plan ahead to visit the dramatic Point Sur Lightstation. It’s west of Highway a few miles north of Andrew Molera State Park and Section Monterey 10, perched 361 feet above the surf on a large volcanic rock. The stone lighthouse, in continuous operation since it was first lit in 1889, opens for guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays year round and on some other days during the busy season. Occasional moonlight tours from April to October make a visit even more dramatic. Call (831)625-4419 for information.
You won’t find another lighthouse open to visitors on the California coast from Point Sur south. To the north up the California coast in Marin County you can tour the Point Reyes Lighthouse in the National Seashore on interpretive tours held most days, and the Point Bonita Lighthouse in Golden Gate National Recreation Area on weekend afternoons. In Mendocino County you can visit the Point Arena Lighthouse, open for tours on most days, and the recently restored Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, open for tours during special events. The Crescent City Lighthouse in California’s far north opens for tours on days when low tides permit.
—Originally Published in Hiking the California Coastal Trail: Guide to Walking the Golden State's Beaches and Bluff from Border to Border - Volume Two: Monterey to Mexico by Bob Lorentzen and Richard Nichols