For all the lighthouse fanatics out there, this is one to add to your photo album collection of historical lighthouses around the country. There are almost 50 lighthouses in California and the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse is a must-see. It’s located very close to our Cambria hotel.
Directions to Piedras Blancas Lighthouse from our Cambria Hotel
It’s a quick 20 minute drive north on the Pacific Coast Highway to get to the lighthouse. You’ll simply hop on Highway 1 and travel 14.8 miles toward Big Sur while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. The lighthouse will be, of course, on the left side of the highway.
About the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse
The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse reaches 115 feet toward the sky and donned its first Fresnel Lens in 1875. The Fresnel lens was considered a state of the art masterpiece in the 19th century because it reduces the amount of material required when compared to spherical lenses and it also does the trick in illuminating larger distances. The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse original Fresnel lens now sits in the center of town in our small Cambria village. If you’re keen to get an up close and personal look at the original lens, it’s on Main Street just a short 15 minute stroll from our Cambria hotel.
The story goes that Captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo bestowed the name Piedras Blancas to the area because he found a large amount of guano on the rocks, completely covering them in a blanket of white. Although not too romantic, it certainly is memorable!
In bygone decades, there were keepers of the lighthouse that managed the station until 1939. Imagine what a job that would be! Eventually, the coast guard took over and oversaw operations until about 1975. After that, the lighthouse tower was automated leaving little need for any staff. The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse was handed over to the Bureau of Land Management in 2001. They have plans to completely restore the landmark, including replicating the lantern room.
Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Tours
You can get a tour of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse and surrounding area from September 1 to June 14 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays at 10am sharp. It’ll take you about 2 hours to cover the lighthouse and history of the area. The time includes a 1/2 mile walking tour.
You’re instructed to meet at the former Piedras Blancas Motel, located about a mile and a half north of the light station. It is recommended you arrive 15 minutes early.
There is a fee for the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Tour.
Adults: $10
Children (6-17): $5
Children (5 and under): FREE
You can find more information at the Bureau of Land Management website.