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Point Arguello Lighthouse

Fl W 15s🇺🇸Central and Southern California, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Point Arguello Lighthouse

The current light at Point Arguello was established after 1934, succeeding a skeletal steel tower built that year. This replaced the original lighthouse erected in 1901, which featured a white square tower connected to a keeper's dwelling. The first structure utilized a fourth-order Fresnel lens, originally from the Point Hueneme Lighthouse. This light serves the Santa Barbara Channel along the Gaviota Coast.

Background
Point Arguello Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County, California, serving the Santa Barbara Channel on the Gaviota Coast adjoining Vandenberg Space Force Base near the city of Lompoc, California. The original Point Arguello lighthouse, built in 1901, had a white square tower attached to a one-story keeper's house. It had a fourth order Fresnel lens, which was transferred from the Point Hueneme Lighthouse. The tower was replaced in 1934 by a square pyramidal skeletal steel tower, which was in turn replaced by the current post light.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Focal Height
30.5m

Location

City
Central and Southern California
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
34.5770°
Longitude
-120.6474°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1901

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7207940 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Point Arguello Lighthouse at night?+
Point Arguello displays the characteristic Fl W 15s — 1 white flash every 15 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 Point Arguello Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Point Arguello Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is HERMOSA at 7.3 NM to the S. Other ports served include Point Conception (11.8 NM SE), Orcutt (19.5 NM NNE), HARMONY (26.6 NM ESE), HONDO (28.3 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Point Arguello Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Point Arguello 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 Point Arguello Lighthouse?+
Point Arguello 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 Point Arguello Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Point Arguello 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.