The Lighthouse Road Trip On The Southern California Coast Thats Dreamily Beautiful

Something with headlights. Perhaps this is because of their great importance in protecting ships from disaster, or because of their immutability: beacons that shine for decades. Or maybe it's a way of life, solitude and lighthouse duty. Or maybe how dreamy and romantic they look against the backdrop of sun, sea and algae. Either way, we think a long day spent visiting these amazing and historic Southern California lighthouses would make the perfect trip to the coast.

From San Diego to Los Angeles, this 156-mile journey takes in some of Southern California's most historically significant lighthouses and the added bonus of a waterfront restaurant that looks like a lighthouse.

You can use this interactive map to navigate and customize your journey, from adding or removing stops to reversing.

1. Old Point Loma Lighthouse, San Diego

By Frank Schulenberg, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The original San Diego Lighthouse on San Diego's Point Loma Peninsula was first lit on the night of November 15, 1855. Although it was built 422 feet above sea level, the area has low cloud cover and fog often obscures the light. , which made it less suitable for shipping. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is still intact, but no longer operational. It is open to the public as a museum and shows the lives of those who cared for and controlled light in the 19th century.

2. New Point Loma Lighthouse, San Diego

Photo: NavyCamera Cameraman: PH2 DUTKIEWICZ, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

In 1891, the light at the old lighthouse went out and the keeper moved to the New Point Loma Lighthouse, built closer to the water, at the tip of the peninsula. With its unique pyramidal support structure and central cylinder, the lighthouse is still the only one of its kind on the West Coast.

3. Cafe "Beacon", Newport Beach.

Enjoy a ride along the coast as you head north for a lighthouse-style meal. Enjoy lunch at the Lighthouse Cafe overlooking the bay at Newport Beach. Breakfast hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so no matter what time you arrive, you'll have an extensive menu to choose from, including appetizers like cinnamon beignets, lobster pasta, or ahi mini toast, followed by savory Options like chilaquiles con bisteak, lighthouse benedict, lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes or lobster rolls.

4. Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse, San Pedro

After lunch, head to Cabrillo Beach to see the Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse, also known as the Los Angeles Gateway Light. The only lighthouse made of reinforced concrete and anchored on a concrete block at the end of the Espigón de San Pedro is the only lighthouse in the world that emits an emerald beam. You will notice the black vertical lines on the tower which are painted to improve visibility during fog. This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Punta Fermin Lighthouse, San Pedro

Elefunboy at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

San Pedro's beautiful Point Fermin Lighthouse was built in 1874 from California mahogany. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 but sat idle for years. In time, it was restored as a museum and opened to the public. This iconic building has served as a filming location for several television shows and movies.

6. Punta Vicente Lighthouse, Rancho Palos Verdes.

Mike Kuah, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The last lighthouse on the list is Point San Vicente Light on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The lighthouse is usually closed to the public, but this beautiful tower on a cliff overlooking the sea is a great sight even from a distance. You can visit the Punta Vicente Interpretive Center, which houses original lighthouse lenses with hand-carved prisms and a copper frame. Walk along the beach park path at sunset and watch the light change on the beautiful white lighthouse.

We hope you love the lighthouse and the Southern California coast as much as we do! Do you want to go on this journey? Do you have a favorite lighthouse in Southern California? Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out these Southern California travel ideas!