South of Pescadero, a white tower stands on a rocky point. It has marked the coast since 1872.
The celebration
California State Parks lists a 154th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 1 to 7 p.m. Planned events include lighthouse crafts and games, a demonstration of how the Fresnel lens works, a presentation about whales, a bird walk, a walking tour, and a talk by local historian JoAnn Semones about her new book on Pigeon Point. State Parks says it will be the last time visitors can see the lens lit up close in the historic Fog Signal Building before it returns to the tower next year. Lighthouse history walks are also scheduled for Nov. 1 and Nov. 8.
History
The point takes its name from the ship Carrier Pigeon, which wrecked there in 1853, according to Wikipedia. The 115-foot tower, built in 1871, is tied with Point Arena as the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast. Its first-order Fresnel lens has 1,008 hand-polished lenses and prisms. It was made in Paris and first lit at sunset on Nov. 15, 1872. The tower is still an active Coast Guard aid to navigation, now with an automated LED beacon. It has been under major renovation funded by the Legislature in 2021.
Visiting
State Parks says the day-use area is open 8 a.m. to sunset. The visitor center is open Thursday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as staffing permits. Dogs are not allowed. The park is on Highway 1, 20 miles south of Half Moon Bay.