Our Mission The mission of State Parks is n June 1853 the Boston- Pigeon Point to provide for the health, inspiration and I education of the people of California by helping based , Light Station to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and a clipper ship on her cultural resources, and creating opportunities State Historic Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. maiden voyage, was torn apart by a fog-blanketed rock off Whale Point.

California State Parks supports equal access. Thereafter, it was called Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park Pigeon Point. at (650) 879-2120. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact [email protected] or call (916) 654-2249.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

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Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park 210 Pigeon Point Road, off Highway 1 Pescadero, CA 94060 (650) 879-2120

© 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2011) P erched where coast A clockwork mechanism rotated the and ocean meet, the panels, producing a light flash precisely at Pigeon every ten seconds. The lighthouse’s Point Light Station signature beam continues today, flashing State Historic Park light from an exterior automated beacon beckons motorists at ten-second intervals. The fog signal was traveling Highway replaced by a more modern navigation aid 1. They can’t miss in 1976. the stately 115-foot The lighthouse sits on an eight-foot structure, the tallest foundation. Its walls, four-and-a-half feet operating lighthouse on thick at the base and tapering to two feet at the West Coast. Pigeon Left: ; right: docents dressed as lighthouse keepers the top, employ structurally connected inner Point Light Station is and outer walls that were strong enough listed on the National Register of Historic enclosed room at the top of the lighthouse, to emerge undamaged from the 1906 San Places—a reminder of the days when the lens stands 16 feet tall and weighs four Francisco and 1989 Loma Prieta earthquakes. whalers and Gold Rush era clipper ships tons. Its designer, French physicist Augustin RESTORATION EFFORTS fought gales, stiff seas, jagged coastal rocks Jean Fresnel, used 1,008 handcrafted, brass- and unforgiving fog. framed lenses and prisms to concentrate the The lighthouse tower is currently source of light, maximizing light efficiency to closed to tours. However, the Fresnel The Point’s Colorful Past throw its beam up to 24 miles. lens is now on display in the Fog Pigeon Point’s original name, Whale Point, The lenses and prisms, stacked Signal Building. The California State was inspired by the gray whales that migrate vertically to form two dozen nine-and-a- Parks Foundation is spearheading a past the point. California’s boom from gold half-foot tall panels, were joined together fundraising campaign to restore and rush to statehood brought many ships to form a six-foot-diameter circular frame reopen the tower to the public. For more to these rugged waters. In June 1853 the with the light source in the middle. information, visit www.calparks.org. Boston-based Carrier Pigeon, on her maiden voyage, ran aground off Whale Point (later renamed Pigeon Point in honor of the ship). Between 1865 and 1868, three major shipwrecks affirmed the danger of this fog- blanketed location. Finally, in November 1872, a lighthouse was built with a light and fog signal that guided mariners for more than a century. The lighthouse was outfitted with the most powerful lens of the day—a first-order (the largest) Fresnel lens. Perched in a glass- Where, When and Weather Hostel guests share bathrooms, Pigeon Point Light Station is approximately kitchens and living rooms. To make midway between Half Moon Bay and Santa reservations, call (650) 879-0633 from Cruz, near Pescadero. The grounds are open 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Information is also daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Fridays through available at www.pigeonpointhostel.org. Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather Accessible INFORMATION permitting, park docents recount the light station’s rich history while leading visitors The boardwalk, the Fog Signal Building Spiral staircase inside the lighthouse among the old buildings and around the exhibits and bookstore are accessible, as grounds. Exhibits and a bookstore are also are parking, restrooms and the picnic area Natural History available to provide information to visitors. near the park entrance. For accessiblity History may be the park’s top billing, Be prepared for unpredictable weather. updates, call (916) 445-8949 or visit but the point’s natural beauty is also a Rain may fall between November and http://access.parks.ca.gov. major attraction. Its high perch provides March, and even summer brings chilly Please Remember scenic views of harbor fog, particularly in the mornings. Stiff • Except for service animals, pets are not and elephant seals and northwest winds can develop anytime. permitted on the lighthouse grounds. whales. During For a virtual tour of the light • Smoking is not permitted in the park. spring and winter station and more park information, • Cliffs can collapse onto the rocks below— migrations, the whales visit the Pigeon Point Light Station SHP stay on designated pathways. travel relatively close pages at www.parks.ca.gov. to the lighthouse grounds, Marbled murrelet A public phone and restrooms are near the particularly in the shallow waters of the Pigeon point LIGHTHOUse Hostel entrance to the park grounds. cove south of the point. Standing on the Four Light Station buildings, converted to Nearby State Parks station’s boardwalk overlook, visitors can lodging for up to 59 people, are operated by • observe northward-bound California gray Hostelling International. Accommodations 14 ½ miles south of Half Moon Bay whale cows and their new calves taking are available in male, female, and co-ed on Highway 1 (650) 879-2170 advantage of the safety of the cove. Farther bunkrooms, as well as private rooms for • Año Nuevo State Park out, the spouts of humpback and blue individuals, couples or families. 1 New Year’s Creek Road, off Highway 1, whales can often be seen. Pescadero 94060 (650) 879-0227/2025 About 50 species of migratory and • , 1500 Cloverdale Road, native birds live here, including marbled Pescadero 94060 (650) 879-2040 murrelets, an endangered species that nests in nearby old-growth forests and feeds This park receives support in part through in coastal waters. Tide pools are a short a nonprofit organization. walk north of Pigeon Point (do not disturb For more information contact: or remove tide pool specimens). Below San Mateo Coast Natural History Ass’n. the point, frothy waves washing over rock New Years Creek Rd., Pescadero, CA 94060 ledges cause sea palms to sway. Boardwalk overlook www.smcnha.org