Point Vicente Lighthouse facts for kids

A beautiful sunset over the ocean near Point Vicente lighthouse

The Point Vicente Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. It stands tall on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, just north of the busy Los Angeles Harbor. This important landmark helps guide ships safely along the coast.

The lighthouse is about 67 feet (20 m) tall. It sits on a cliff that is 130 feet (40 m) high. This means its light shines from 185 feet (56 m) above the ocean. The Point Vicente Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This recognizes its importance in history. It is owned by the United States federal government and managed by the United States Coast Guard.

History of the Lighthouse

Why the Lighthouse Was Built

The Point Vicente Lighthouse was built in 1926. Before it was built, many ships had trouble sailing around the Palos Verdes peninsula. The waters were known to be dangerous. The lighthouse was constructed to make shipping safer for everyone.

The Original Lens and Its Journey

The lighthouse originally used a special Fresnel lens from Paris, France. This lens was 5 feet (1.5 m) wide. It had been used in Alaska since 1886 before coming to California. A Fresnel lens is a special type of lens that can focus light into a very powerful beam. This helps the light travel far across the ocean.

Changes Over the Years

In 1934, the Long Beach Radio Station opened nearby. It helped monitor for distress signals from ships. During World War II, the lighthouse light was dimmed to just 25 watts. This was done to prevent enemy ships from using it to navigate. The lighthouse became automated in 1971. This meant it no longer needed people to operate it all the time. The radio station closed in 1980.

In 2015, the Coast Guard decided to replace the old Fresnel lens. They planned to use a modern LED light instead. This new light would have a range of 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi). The original lens was removed in February 2019. It is now on display at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

How the Light Works

The lighthouse's light characteristic is two white flashes. This pair of flashes repeats every 20 seconds. If the main light ever goes out, an emergency light with less power turns on. This ensures ships always have a warning.

The Foghorn

For many years, the lighthouse also had a foghorn. This horn made a loud sound to warn ships during foggy weather. Fog is very common in this area. The foghorn was removed in the early 2000s.

Lighthouse Keepers

Lighthouse keepers were people who lived at the lighthouse. They were in charge of making sure the light stayed on and worked properly. Here are some of the head keepers who worked at Point Vicente:

• George W. L'Hommedieu (1925–1930)
• Anton Trittinger (1930–1945)
• Joseph May (1945–1955)

Visiting the Lighthouse Today

Public Access

The Point Vicente Lighthouse is usually open for tours on the second Saturday of each month. These tours run from 10 AM to 3 PM PST. However, it is sometimes closed, so it's good to check before you go. The lighthouse and its surrounding land are federal property. They are owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Presence

The property also includes three houses. These are homes for Coast Guard personnel. The US Coast Guard's Aids to Navigation Team Los Angeles/Long Beach (CG ANT LA/LB) is responsible for keeping the lighthouse and its equipment working. Members of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary help with the tours and open houses. They are known as Lighthouse Keepers and Technicians.

Assistance from Sea Cadets

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps also helps during open houses. They assist with things like checking visitors at the entrance gate. They also help in the lighthouse and museum. They make sure people stay out of restricted areas. These restricted areas include the very top of the lighthouse (the lantern room) and the private streets.

Visitor Information

Parking is available outside the main entrance gate. Only vehicles authorized by the Coast Guard can drive onto the property. There are no public restrooms directly at the lighthouse. The closest public restrooms are at the city's Point Vicente Interpretive Center, which is right next door. Admission to visit the lighthouse is free.

Gallery

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  View from inside the lantern room

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  Historical USCG photo

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  The light sits on a 130-foot (40 m) cliff

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  The cove beneath the lighthouse

See also

• List of lighthouses in the United States