Our third stop on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 roadtrip leads us to the tallest operating lighthouse on the West Coast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero, California. If your new to this roadtrip we started in
Santa Cruz and stopped at
Swanton Berry Farm before heading toward the bay area.
Even during the crisp morning hours this lighthouse beckoned us to stop and discover a piece of California's golden history along the jagged coast line. When visiting the West Coast wear layers.
The lighthouse is currently closed for tours as fundraising efforts are underway for restoration, but there were still plenty of treasures to discover during our visit.
The glass enclosed room at the top of the tower housed a 16 foot tall Fresnel lens weighing in at two tons. The Fresnel lens was dismantled and reassembled in the Fog Signal building . An exterior automated beam still flashes at 10 second intervals.
French designer Augustin Jean Fresnel handcrafted 1008 brass framed lenses and prisms that concentrate light up to 24 miles. This reminds me of the Wonkavator that shoots through the roof of the factory.
A clockwork mechanism rotates the panels producing a light flash every 10 seconds. The light prisms are stacked vertically to form two dozen nine and a half tall panels on a circular frame. The docents on the grounds are really informative and have a way of taking you back into mariner history.
Pigeon Point has a Hostel lodging option. Imagine sitting in a hot tub looking out at these coastal views. I wouldn't mind staying here if I could convince the Renaissance man of shared restroom and kitchen quarters with other guest.
Pigeon Point was originally named Whale Point due to the grey whale migration to the area. In June of 1853 a clipper ship on her maiden voyage named Carrier Pigeon crashed on fog covered rocks and the point was renamed Pigeon Point.
This grey whale skull was amazing to photograph, puts in prospective how massive these sea beauties are. We are really small fish in a big pond so to speak.
I kept my eye on the ocean in hopes of glimpsing a pod traveling by. Lush ice plants and moss lining the bluffs paints a poetic memory in my mind, I can still smell the salt infused air.
A mother and her pups relaxed on a bed of kelp without a care in the world.
Kelp that reminds me of mini palm trees swaying in the breeze. Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a must stop for sure if your coasting by. Next stop on the roadtrip will have you living on the edge.
