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Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse

Occ W 4s🇺🇸Northern California, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse

A white tower standing 5 meters tall was constructed in 1873 on Yerba Buena Island. Its focal height reaches 29 meters above sea level. The light emitted is an occulting white signal. This light has a geographic range of 14 nautical miles, aiding navigation in the area.

Why it matters: The lighthouse holds a heritage status of 2.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ W 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc
Focal Height
29m
Geographic Range
14NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1873
Heritage Status
2

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
LLNR 4595
Wikidata
Q8052543 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
5m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Northern California
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
37.8072°
Longitude
-122.3623°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse at night?+
Yerba Buena Island 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 Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is TREASURE ISLAND at 1 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include San Francisco (2.6 NM SW), EMERYVILLE (3.2 NM NE), Oakland (3.6 NM E), Berkeley (4.2 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Yerba Buena Island 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 Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse?+
Yerba Buena Island 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 Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Yerba Buena Island 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.