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Santa Barbara Lighthouse

Fl W 10s🇺🇸Central and Southern California, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Santa Barbara Lighthouse

The Santa Barbara Lighthouse began operations in 1856. Its tower stands 7.3 meters tall, with the light positioned 43 meters above sea level. This aid emits a white light. The lighthouse is located in Central and Southern California.

Background
Santa Barbara Lighthouse was a lighthouse in California, United States, on the Santa Barbara Harbor, California.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Focal Height
43m

Construction & History

Year Built
1856

References & Identifiers

NGA No.
USCG 195
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7419231 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7.3m

Location

City
Central and Southern California
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
34.3963°
Longitude
-119.7225°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Santa Barbara Lighthouse at night?+
Santa Barbara displays the characteristic Fl W 10s — 1 white flash every 10 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 Santa Barbara Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Santa Barbara Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Santa Barbara at 1.8 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include GOLETA (5.4 NM WNW), Elwood (8.3 NM WNW), HENRY (8.8 NM ESE), HOLLY (9.1 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Santa Barbara Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Lighthouse?+
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Santa Barbara 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.