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East Brother Island Lighthouse

Fl W 5s🇺🇸Northern California, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About East Brother Island Lighthouse

This lighthouse was constructed in 1874 and first illuminated that same year. The tower rises 18.5 meters above sea level. Its illumination is a white light. The structure was designed in the American Stick style by Paul J. Pelz. This station served as a model for several other lighthouses built along the west coast and beyond.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
East Brother Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on East Brother Island in San Rafael Bay, near the tip of Point San Pablo in Richmond, California. It marks the entrance to San Pablo Bay from San Francisco Bay. Built in 1874 and automated in 1969, the lighthouse was designed in the American Stick style by Paul J. Pelz, who also designed East Brother Island's sister stations, Point Fermin Light in San Pedro CA, Mare Island Light, in Carquinez Strait, California (demolished in the 1930s), Point Hueneme Light in California (replaced in 1940), Hereford Inlet Light in North Wildwood, New Jersey, and Point Adams Light in Washington State (burned down by the Lighthouse Service in 1912), all in essentially the same style. The former keeper's house began operating as a bed and breakfast in 1980.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Focal Height
18.5m

Location

City
Northern California
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
37.9633°
Longitude
-122.4334°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1874
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5327959 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify East Brother Island Lighthouse at night?+
East Brother Island displays the characteristic Fl W 5s — 1 white flash every 5 seconds. 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.
Which ports and harbors does East Brother Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
East Brother Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is San Pablo at 1 NM to the E. Other ports served include SAN RAFAEL (3.9 NM W), Richmond (4.1 NM SE), Tiburon (5.5 NM S), Sausalito (6.8 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is East Brother Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, East Brother Island 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 East Brother Island Lighthouse?+
East Brother Island 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 East Brother Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near East Brother Island 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.