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Trinidad Head Lighthouse

Occ W 4s🇺🇸Northern California, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Trinidad Head Lighthouse

The Trinidad Head Lighthouse, operational since 1866, stands 60 meters above sea level. Its white light flashes to aid navigation. The lighthouse is situated on Trinidad Head, north of Eureka, California. It was built in 1866 and first lit in the same year. The structure is located in Northern California.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
Trinidad Head Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse on Trinidad Head on the outskirts of Trinidad, California. Built in 1871, it is 20 miles (32 km) north of Eureka, California.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ W 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Focal Height
60m

Location

City
Northern California
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.0520°
Longitude
-124.1515°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1866
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7842389 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Trinidad Head Lighthouse at night?+
Trinidad Head displays the characteristic Occ W 4s — 1 white flash every 4 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 Trinidad Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Trinidad Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is TRINIDAD BAY at 0.2 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Eureka (15.4 NM S), Samoa (16.3 NM S), HUMBOLDT (19.2 NM S), Crescent City (42 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Trinidad Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Trinidad Head 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 Trinidad Head Lighthouse?+
Trinidad Head 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 Trinidad Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Trinidad Head 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.