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Point Sur Lighthouse

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

Location & Light Range

About Point Sur Lighthouse

The Point Sur Lighthouse, completed in 1889, measures 15 meters in height. Its light is emitted from an elevation of 83 meters, producing a white flash visible up to 25 nautical miles. Located on a 110-meter high rock formation 39.6 kilometers south of Monterey, California, the white tower is part of Point Sur State Historic Park. The station continues to function.

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

Background
Point Sur Lighthouse is a lightstation at Point Sur 24.6 miles (39.6 km) south of Monterey, California at the peak of the 361-foot (110 m) rock at the head of the point. It was established in 1889 and is part of Point Sur State Historic Park. The light house is 40 feet (12 m) tall and 270 feet (82 m) above sea level. As of 2016, and for the foreseeable future the light is still in operation as an essential aid to navigation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
83m
Geographic Range
25NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1889
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7208173 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Central and Southern California
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
36.3063°
Longitude
-121.9015°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Point Sur Lighthouse at night?+
Point Sur 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 Sur Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Point Sur Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Monterey at 18 NM to the N. Other ports served include MOSS LANDING (30.3 NM N), Santa Cruz (39.6 NM N), Capitola (39.9 NM N), Tres Pinos (40.2 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Point Sur Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Point Sur 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 Sur Lighthouse?+
Point Sur 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 Sur Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Point Sur 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.