While driving up Highway 1 in California, north of San Francisco, a roadside sign caught my eye. It simply read “Lighthouse” with an arrow pointing toward the coast. Intrigued, I pulled over, turned around, and followed the road toward the Port Arena Lighthouse.
The museum and lighthouse didn’t open until 10:00 a.m., and I arrived around 9:15 a.m., giving me some extra time to take photos along the coastline. The lighting was perfect at this early hour, making for some stunning shots.
It was pretty windy and CHILLY out there even in May! Burrr…. I walked around and shot a few more photos of this awesome landscape. A quick Google search mentioned that this lighthouse was used as part of the filming in the Mel Gibson movie Forever Young. Neat! I love to visit filming locations! Win-win.
Once the gates opened, I drove up to the point and strategically parked my 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia in the best spot for a photo op. As any Vanagon owner knows, we love capturing our vans in front of unique backdrops, and this was the perfect opportunity to add another great shot to my collection.
I walked into the museum, which was originally the lighthouse keeper’s living quarters, and happily paid the $10.00 tour fee. I found the price quite reasonable, considering the value of such a unique experience. I had expected the fee to be higher, around $15-$20, to help offset the costs of maintaining and restoring this incredible piece of history.
The Port Arena Lighthouse stands at 115 feet tall, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to climb to the top. I recommend arriving as soon as they open, as I did. There were no other visitors on site yet, so I had the whole place to myself. This made for great photographs since I didn’t have to worry about trying to avoid a bunch of other guests.
After climbing 145 steps, I found myself a little winded and sore – but it was worth every step! The spiral staircase, though a challenge, was a marvel in itself. Learning that the original polished brass staircase was later painted grey by the Coast Guard was a bummer; I could only imagine how stunning it must have looked when it had a mirror finish.
Inside the lighthouse, the large Fresnel lamp has been removed and placed in the museum for viewing, providing visitors like me with an expansive 360-degree panoramic view of the shoreline. In its place, a more modern LED housing that stands only 12″ tall, a stark contrast to the historical charm of the original Fresnel lamp.
I’m sure the artisans that created Fresnel lamps back in the late 1800’s would be amazed that what they built could be easily replaced by such a small LED housing.
Spectacular views all around! I am glad I made the choice to take the small detour and spend a couple of hours here. It was definitely a treat.
The views from the top were nothing short of spectacular, making the unexpected stop well worth it. A tour guide at the top provided a brief presentation about the lighthouse’s history and features, although not the most engaging, the information was thorough and informative. Maybe it had something to do with me getting up there as soon as he opened and I was his first audience to hear the speech he’ll repeat many times that day.
As I made my way up, platforms and benches provided much-needed respite for out-of-shape visitors like myself. It’s worth noting that this lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast, just ask my quads!
The steps were dated 1869, which was a poignant reminder of the lighthouse’s age, which truly sank in as I reached the top. At the time of this article, I realized this structure was well over 145 years old which ironically is how many steps I had to climb to the top.
Interestingly, this lighthouse played a role in the 1992 movie Forever Young. Framed newspaper clippings in the museum showcased behind-the-scenes photos from the filming. Inspired, I plan to watch the movie again after my visit.
If you’re planning a visit the Port Arena Lighthouse, I highly recommend arriving early to catch the best light for photographs. While evening light can be charming, much of the scenery may be cast in shadows.