Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Breathtaking Views of Ocean and History
Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
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Introduction
Located within the Cabrillo National Monument, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is an iconic building marking the southwesternmost point of the continental United States. Built in 1854, the lighthouse was equipped with the most advanced Fresnel telescope of the time. One year later, the new lighthouse keeper lit the oil lamp, and the lighthouse became a beacon for sailors, with its light reportedly visible up to 39 miles away, serving as an important guide for navigation. In 1891, the lighthouse ceased operation and became a museum. Visitors can climb inside the lighthouse and learn about the intricate inner workings of the brilliant crystal lamp. The monument in the park commemorates Portuguese explorer Cabrillo, who landed here in 1542, becoming the first European to set foot on the coast of California. Standing at the tip of this peninsula stretching into the ocean, visitors can overlook the entire San Diego Bay and city, experiencing the allure of history and the magnificence of nature. Address Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
Opening hours The Cabrillo National Monument, to which the lighthouse belongs, is open 364 days a year, except for Christmas. The opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The entrance fee booth closes at 4:30 PM and all visitors must leave the park at 5:00 PM.