Pigeon Point Lighthouse, California

I like the ocean, and I like Pigeon Point Lighthouse in California.

You know those fill in the blank questions that go around and say things like 'beach or mountains'?

Well guess which I pick.


East Coast or West - Atlantic or Pacific, I enjoy them both, but there is nothing quite like the scenery on a drive up Highway 1 along the California coast.

Some people take a nice camera along in hopes to get some good photos.  

Hmmmm... great idea I should try it sometime, but till then cell phone photos will have to do.

When we visit friends in Half Moon Bay, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse is only a hop skip and jump down the road.

On a weekday in October we can have the place almost to ourselves, but it's easy to determine many of the other visitors are from father away than us based on how many German and French words I overheard.

There are always harbor seals to watch along the rocks and if you're lucky, dolphins.

We were lucky this day, when a pod swam by - we counted about 10 dolphins as they jumped in and out of the water.

If you are a lighthouse aficionado than you know all about Fresnel lenses.

Currently there is a campaign to save the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, to restore not just the lens, but the whole lighthouse.

Everyone can be a keeper of the light to save the lighthouse by donating to the restoration project.

The building below is the Fog Signal House.  In 2001 the large Fresnel lens was moved to this building during the restoration process.

Last year when we visited the doors were open and there was a host who answered every question I could think of.

And I asked a lot of questions.  When I get fixated on something I want to know everything.  I probably drove the old guy crazy since he wasn't here this time.

On this visit the day was mostly cloudy, but once in a while the sun peeked through.

I rather like all the rickety charm.

The Lighthouse property also has a hostel and you can actually book a reservation and spend a night overlooking the Pacific.  Click on the "hostel" link above if you want to take a tour of the accommodations.

I've added a stay here to my list of things to do sometime.

Until 2001 visitors could still wander up the lighthouse.  But not again now

until the restoration is complete.

There is a box for donations but I'm not sure how much has been raised or if they are close to the goal.

We stopped and picked up some snacks to eat as we listened to the waves hit the rocks.

And ice cream cones too that we devoured on the drive.  Triple fudge and banana split if you want to know our flavor choices.

 It's a pretty nice view from all directions, and we went all the way around it.

If everyone who visits would put just a buck or two in the donation box the lens and the rest of the place would be restored in no time.  

Maybe by my next visit?

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