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Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse

This concrete control tower, standing 15 meters tall with a focal plane of 16 meters, is located just off the beach at the U.S. Navy's West Coast LCAC Base. The square cylindrical structure, unpainted, serves the launching ramp for landing craft-air cushion hovercraft approximately 8 miles northwest of Oceanside. Its light emits a white flash every 4 seconds, visible for 12.2 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself remains closed due to its military function. It is situated near the LCAC launching ramp, identified by Admiralty number G3732.

Why it matters: This control tower is uniquely important for the U.S. Navy's West Coast LCAC Base, specifically guiding landing craft-air cushion hovercraft during their amphibious operations.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
16m
Geographic Range
12.2NM

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
California
Sea Region
Located just off the beach at the LCAC launching ramp, approximately 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Oceanside, serving the U.S. Navy's West Coast LCAC Base.
Latitude
33.2581°
Longitude
-117.4377°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Dana Point(17.3 km)
Admiralty No.
G3732
USCG No.
6-0050
ARLHS No.
USA-1238

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
square cylindrical
Tower Color
concrete control tower
Material
concrete

Structure: A 15m square cylindrical unpainted concrete control tower with a focal plane of 16m.

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse at night?+
Camp Pendleton South displays the characteristic Fl White 4s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is OCEANSIDE at 3.5 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Carlsbad (8.8 NM SE), Leucadia (13.4 NM SSE), DANA POINT (17.8 NM NW), Rancho Bernardo (24.3 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse?+
Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Camp Pendleton South Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.