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Point Vicente Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 20s🇺🇸Central and Southern California, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Point Vicente Lighthouse

Completed in 1926, the Point Vicente Lighthouse stands 20 meters tall from its base. Its light, visible for 24 nautical miles, emits a white flash characteristic. The structure is situated on a cliff 130 feet above the water, with the light itself positioned 56 meters above sea level. Its white tower contrasts with the surrounding landscape. The United States Coast Guard manages this navigational aid.

Why it matters: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, this lighthouse is situated between Point Loma Lighthouse to the south and Point Conception Lighthouse to the north.

Background
Point Vicente Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, United States, north of Los Angeles Harbor, which was built in 1926. It is 67 feet (20 m) tall and stands on a cliff with a height of 130 feet (40 m). It is between Point Loma Lighthouse to the south and Point Conception Lighthouse to the north. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The lighthouse is owned by the United States federal government and is managed by the United States Coast Guard. Visitors are allowed to access the lighthouse on the second Saturday of every month.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
56m
Geographic Range
24NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1926
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7208183 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20m
Tower Color
#fffBEB

Location

City
Central and Southern California
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
33.7418°
Longitude
-118.4107°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Point Vicente Lighthouse at night?+
Point Vicente displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 20s — 2 white flashes every 20 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 Vicente Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Point Vicente Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Redondo Beach at 6 NM to the N. Other ports served include Los Angeles (7.3 NM E), Wilmington (7.3 NM ENE), Thenard (9.2 NM ENE), Long Beach (9.8 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Point Vicente Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Point Vicente 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 Vicente Lighthouse?+
Point Vicente 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 Vicente Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Point Vicente 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.