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Harbor Island Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇺🇸San Diego, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Harbor Island Lighthouse

Also known as: Harbor Island (Tom Ham's Lighthouse)

This octagonal lighthouse, built in 1971, stands 15 meters tall with its focal height at 17 meters. The structure rises from a two-story restaurant building, featuring a lantern and gallery. Its white light flashes once every 4 seconds, providing a geographic range of 12.4 nautical miles. The restaurant underwent renovation and restoration in 2013. While the tower is not open to the public, the site is accessible.

Why it matters: The light guides maritime traffic through the western approaches to San Diego Harbor, a critical port for commercial, naval, and recreational vessels. Its unique integration into a restaurant building makes it a notable architectural landmark.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1971

Significant events: Restaurant renovated and restored in 2013

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
octagonal

Structure: A 15m octagonal light tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a two-story restaurant building.

Location

City
San Diego
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
California
Sea Region
West end of Harbor Island in downtown San Diego
Latitude
32.7241°
Longitude
-117.2132°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
National City(2.7 km)
Admiralty No.
G3702
USCG No.
6-1700
ARLHS No.
USA-1439
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Harbor Island Lighthouse at night?+
Harbor Island 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 Harbor Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Harbor Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is OCEAN BEACH at 2.6 NM to the NW. Other ports served include National City (2.7 NM ESE), Coronado (3.4 NM SE), San Diego (6.6 NM SE), Spring Valley, San Diego (11.6 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Harbor Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Harbor 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 Harbor Island Lighthouse?+
Harbor 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 Harbor Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Harbor 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.