The Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest lighthouses in America and is located in the small town of Pescadero, just an hour’s drive from the East Bay Area. My family loves to visit lighthouses wherever we travel and decided to bring our toddler and preschooler to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Station State Historic Park during a weekend in March. It is an easy day trip from the East Bay Area for families with young children and a great way to see whales, birds, and tide pools on the gorgeous California Coastline.
Pigeon Point Light Station is located on the stolen and occupied lands of the Costanoan Ohlone tribe.
Before you go
- Lighthouse grounds are open from 8am-sunset every day. The Visitor Center and Park Store are open 10am-4pm Thursdays to Mondays. Entrance is free. Check the website for special events.
- Check the weather before you go to ensure you’re wearing the right layers. The weather on the California Coast can be unpredictable.
What we packed
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Layers for all-weather
- Snacks and/or lunch
- Sunscreen, hats, and beach gear
- Picnic blanket
- Baby carrier, wagon, or stroller
- Binoculars
Tips to get the most out of your trip to the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
1. Get there early.
The park opens at 8 am and is free to enter. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly, especially on weekends.
Unfortunately you cannot climb up or into the lighthouse, but it’s still a sight to behold!
2. Take the quiz at the lighthouse museum.
Check with the rangers when you arrive at the desk when you first enter. The ranger will hand you a clipboard and pen with a series of questions, all easily answered by reading the content on signs along the museum walls.
Although my preschooler couldn’t read, this activity really got her attention. We walked along the room, reading about the lighthouse’s history and searching for answers. We gazed at the Frensel lens and watched the informational video a few times too. When you’re done, you get a ranger sticker and stamp.
3. Watch for whales.
There are a few benches along the lookout point on the oceanside of the museum. Take a moment to observe the beauty of this place. Look for the birds and sea lions on the rocks and try to spot some whales passing by.
4. Explore the tide pools and beaches at Whaler’s Cove.
Look for the signs just south of the lighthouse parking lot to find an old, wooden staircase leading you to a beautiful beach lined with cool rock formations covered with sea life. At low tide you may be able to see a few sea anemones and sea stars.
Thanks to the rock formations or the protection of the peninsula, this beach has relatively calm seas, making beach play and tide pool exploration more accessible to my sometimes timid kids.
5. Consider extending your trip. Spend the night at the lighthouse.
Hostel America rents the three buildings adjacent to the lighthouse as overnight accommodations.
We decided to spend a weekend at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse with a few other families in the spring and had a lot of fun waking up to the lighthouse at sunrise, exploring the tide pools at low tide, and having coastal views at hostel rates. Read more about our trip here.
6. Check out Pescadero mainstays and activities.
Pescadero has much to offer young families, like beaches, hiking, bike rides, pies, BBQ, and the elephant seals of Año Nuevo. Check out our guide here!
I’ve been to the Pigeon Point Light Station many times, and it never ceases to amaze me. There is something about a lighthouse’s role as a beacon of light, calling you home or guiding your path, that has always intrigued me.
The Pigeon Point Lighthouse itself has fallen into a bit of disrepair. In 2001 part of a railing on the exterior fell and made the lighthouse unsafe to visit. The lighthouse museum has a lot of information on the restoration. I hope to bring my kids back when lens finally returns to the top of the lighthouse to start calling to ships again.
Lighthouses themselves are relics of an old era, one that I cannot separate from the militarization of America and forced removal of Indigenous communities from their lands. Even so, finding lighthouses on our trips has become a hobby of mine, one that I try to continue both at home in California and when we’re traveling internationally. Lucky for me, California has many lighthouses to visit – so stay tuned for many more lighthouse posts!
If you want to know more about my love of lighthouses, or you’re a lighthouse fan like me, read my post about Pt. Cabrillo lighthouse.
Do you have a lighthouse story? Share in the comments below!
Lighthouse Song
Now I’ll leave you with my favorite lighthouse song by Nickel Creek.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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