Point San Luis Lighthouse

Ghost Hunters at the Lighthouse •

Ghost Hunters at the Lighthouse •

Introducing New First Edition

Published in 2022 by the United States Lighthouse Society, this book about the Point San Luis Lighthouse is a collection of tales—true tales, not tall tales—mainly about the people who lived and worked at the lighthouse during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The last chapter covers a later period, with stories about the young military men and their families stationed at the lighthouse during the twentieth century’s middle years. It’s an 8” x 10” softcover running about 300 pages.

These books will soon be available in our Gift Shop selling for only $20.00

Order Here


 On Site Tours now available every Wednesday and Saturday


Volunteers and Docents needed

Docent training available now

click here for more information/application

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Gift Shop Now Available Online

Visit our online shop here

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On Demand Video Tour

This Video tour is professionally filmed by Patrick Ang and features our head Keeper, Ed Tainter, attired is his official government issue formal Keepers Uniform. Let him take you back in time to 1890 as he leads you thru the grounds and facilities of Point San Luis Light Station.

New Item

Hooded Sweatshirt with zippered front featuring the watercolor design of local artist, Chuck Costser. Available in our Gift Shop or on line.

 
 

Take a short virtual tour

Here’s a short intro to the beautiful, historic lighthouse and grounds. We look forward to seeing you in person soon! Click below and take a full 3D tour of the Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building!

 

Point San Luis Lighthouse is open and shipping!

Point San Luis Lighthouse - Avila Beach, California

Founded in 1890, the Point San Luis Light Station has served as the beacon over San Luis Bay for 130 years. From it induction under the United States Lighthouse Board, then the Lighthouse Service, and lastly as being under the auspice of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Point SLO Light Station has had a varied and exciting past.

The two-story main keeper's structure is considered Victorian in its design. The architect is believed to be Paul J. Pelz who designed many lighthouses in the late 1800's. There were two other identical lighthouses in California, one at Table Bluff near Humboldt and the other at Ballast Point near San Diego. Of the three, Point SLO is the only remaining lighthouse of its design.

The Coast Guard still maintains a light at the station, an active Vega VLB 44-2.5 light, which blinks one second on/four seconds off, every night, and is visible up to 17 miles away. The rest of the station is operated as a historic site open to visitors who can reach the property by riding on our van, by hiking with the Pecho Coast Trail Guides, or by kayaking to Whalers Beach. The park is open from sunup to sundown.

In 1991 the Point San Luis Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places #91001093, and in 1995 the Lighthouse Keepers was founded, a 501(c)3 non-profit. The keepers look after the maintenance of the station, and oversee achieving the goal of the site--to share its valuable history with visitors and locals alike. The lighthouse is able to operate as a destination historic site thanks to the participation of PG&E and the Port San Luis Harbor Commission.

Come visit the lighthouse and experience what it was like to live 130 years ago!

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 Lighthouse Grounds Regulations

Pets are not permitted on tours. The only animals permitted on the tours or in the buildings are service animals. Prior notice must be given to Lighthouse staff if you are planning on bringing a service animal.

Photography and flash photography are permitted on tours, however tripods and video are not. Guests who arrive with video cameras will be instructed to leave them in their cars.

We ask that guests leave food and beverages in their cars. Water and light snacks are permitted.

Due to the property being next to Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Drones are strictly forbidden.