Point Reyes Lighthouse
Historical landmark · Marin County ·

Point Reyes Lighthouse

Historical landmark · Marin County ·

Restored lighthouse offers ocean views, wildlife, maritime history

windy
beautiful
informative staff
well maintained
wildlife watching
lighthouse lens
blooming succulents
flowers
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Andres Schiffino (Atlas Obscura User)
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Rshao/cc by-sa 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by MtnLady (Atlas Obscura User)
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Andres Schiffino (Atlas Obscura User)
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Rshao/cc by-sa 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Lily Phan/cc by-sa 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Lily Phan/cc by-sa 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Frank Schulenburg/CC BY-SA 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Eric Chan/cc by 2.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Frank Schulenburg/CC BY-SA 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by Eric Chan/cc by 2.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse by MtnLady (Atlas Obscura User)
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null
Point Reyes Lighthouse by null

Information

Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, CA 94937 Get directions

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Information

Static Map

Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, CA 94937 Get directions

nps.gov
@pointreyesnps
𝕏
@PointReyesNPS

Features

•Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Jan 13, 2026

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@atlasobscura
4,908 Postcards · 2,018 Cities

The Ultimate Guide to Stunning, Surprising, or Hidden Filming Locations

"The extremely high winds and dense fog that descend from the Gulf of Farallones onto Point Reyes, California, necessitated a need for a lighthouse. As such, the Point Reyes Lighthouse was built in 1870.  The beacon spends the majority of the year wrapped in a thick cloak of fog. The stark imagery of the lighthouse on the edge of a rocky cliff surrounded by murk and great waves crashing around it has inspired artists. The poet Weldon Kees was so moved by the Point Reyes Lighthouse that he wrote the poem “The Exposed Reef.” The poem recounts the harrowing experience of a sailor being swept away by raging waters and crashing onto the jagged rocks at the base of the lighthouse. In 1954, Kees would return to Point Reyes to collaborate with the filmmaker William Heick to make a documentary on the lighthouse.  Most people today will recognize the Point Reyes Lighthouse from the cult horror film The Fog, directed by John Carpenter. In the film, Adrienne Barbeau portrays a disc jockey whose radio show broadcasts from the lighthouse. She uses her show to warn the townspeople of a supernatural fog carrying with it a crew of undead pirates. The area where the Point Reyes Lighthouse is located is now a national park. The Lighthouse Visitor Center has exhibits on maritime history as well as information on the native sea life. Weather permitting, park visitors can walk the 300 plus steps down to the lighthouse and enter inside to view the lens and gear works. Update as of April 2020: The lighthouse and its first-order Fresnel lens and clockworks were recently restored and re-opened." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/movie-sets-you-can-visit
Rshao/cc by-sa 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse
@atlasobscura
4,908 Postcards · 2,018 Cities

11 Horror Film Sets Where You Can Revisit Your Greatest Fears

"The extremely high winds and dense fog that descend from the Gulf of Farallones onto Point Reyes, California, necessitated a need for a lighthouse. As such, the Point Reyes Lighthouse was built in 1870.  The beacon spends the majority of the year wrapped in a thick cloak of fog. The stark imagery of the lighthouse on the edge of a rocky cliff surrounded by murk and great waves crashing around it has inspired artists. The poet Weldon Kees was so moved by the Point Reyes Lighthouse that he wrote the poem “The Exposed Reef.” The poem recounts the harrowing experience of a sailor being swept away by raging waters and crashing onto the jagged rocks at the base of the lighthouse. In 1954, Kees would return to Point Reyes to collaborate with the filmmaker William Heick to make a documentary on the lighthouse.  Most people today will recognize the Point Reyes Lighthouse from the cult horror film The Fog, directed by John Carpenter. In the film, Adrienne Barbeau portrays a disc jockey whose radio show broadcasts from the lighthouse. She uses her show to warn the townspeople of a supernatural fog carrying with it a crew of undead pirates. The area where the Point Reyes Lighthouse is located is now a national park. The Lighthouse Visitor Center has exhibits on maritime history as well as information on the native sea life. Weather permitting, park visitors can walk the 300 plus steps down to the lighthouse and enter inside to view the lens and gear works. Update as of April 2020: The lighthouse and its first-order Fresnel lens and clockworks were recently restored and re-opened." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/real-life-horror-film-locations
Rshao/cc by-sa 3.0
Point Reyes Lighthouse

iruvanti V.

Google
Our visit to the place was enhanced by the dew / moisture which flew from the Pacific allowing us to understand why the shipwreck took place in the past along with the rocky terrain which was not visible to the ships passing by before the lighthouse was established. From the point of parking to the lighthouse we have to descend 300+steps . Though these are not steep people climbing up may encounter breathlessness . However , people can rest at two places which provide spectacular sight to the Pacific Ocean. On the way to the lighthouse one can visit a canopy of Cypress trees which also houses a radio station built in 1939 sometime after Marconi invented Morse language to communicate messages . This helped the ships also to avoid coming closer to the coast . It was a remarkable experience watching the mountains and dales on the way.

Victor

Google
Beautiful lighthouse and great views all along the path up. It's a picturesque spot and probably cooler if you could visit the lighthouse before it closed (we arrived a bit too late)

Bhushan T.

Google
Views from Point Reyes are breathtaking. From the lighthouse parking lot, the half mile hike to the lighthouse gift shop and visitor/information center is fairly easy and presents beautiful vistas in all directions. At that point, you arrive at the top of the 313 steps down to the lighthouse. The views from here were spectacular, even though pretty much all I could see was the ocean. The lighthouse is both beautiful and historically interesting. A nice & friendly ranger inside the lighthouse explained about its history and its mechanics. The hike back up was very refreshing. All together, an easy walk to & from the lighthouse with beautiful views of the National Seashore. This lighthouse is small but adorable! Point Reyes is truly a beautiful viewing point. Though the entire area is awesomely beautiful, the lighthouse was clearly the pinnacle of our visit.

Samuel L.

Google
A great lighthouse with an intriguing history. Excellent views across the ocean when the fog clears. Staff were informative and very helpful, and the site is well maintained in general. Would happily visit again and stay longer to do some wildlife watching. There's a lot to see from the vantage point

Breezy L.

Google
This is one of my top lighthouses now! Its so pretty perched down the cliff and getting to go in the light house and see the lense was great. I also enjoy the many blooming succulents, flowers and fluffy orange algae on the way down. The stairs are no joke when going back up them but they have several stops with a bench. When you park at the parking lot you do have to walk uphill on a road to get to the visitor center and stairs down. If you have an accessible ♿ parking badge you can drive up the road and park at the accessible spots by the visitor center.

Kateryna N.

Google
The place is absolutely beautiful and definitely worth the drive. There’s a small public parking lot with limited spaces, but you can also find parking along the road. You’ll find public restrooms near the parking area and another one along the trail to the lighthouse. There’s also a souvenir shop and an educational center nearby. The views are truly breathtaking. A few tips before you go: 1. It’s very cold and windy, so make sure to wear warm clothes and a hat. 2. The walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse is about 0.4 miles, followed by 313 stairs. Going down is easy, and on the way back up there are a few benches where you can take a break. The stairs are also quite narrow. 3. The stairs are open Thursday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. If wind speeds exceed 40 mph, the stairs will be closed for safety. 4. I suggest combining this trip with Chimney Rock and Cypress Tree Tunnel.

Lucas de la T.

Google
Stunning place to view the California coast and the vast Pacific Ocean. It’s very windy and chilly even on a clear warm day. Take binoculars to see the whales and other wildlife. It’s 318 steps down to the lighthouse so be prepared. You may need to park on the road and walk a mile. There are many view points if you do though.

Himanshu K.

Google
Amazing view, must go. Read my poem if you have time: Where the dirt road surrenders to the dune, And sea grass whispers a forgotten tune, There stands a cottage, weathered, salt-and-grey, To watch the slow dissolving of the day. It’s tucked behind a wild and wind-swept pine, A crooked, friendly, welcome sort of sign. Inside, stand a little library with sun-bleached rows, A whispered soundtrack softly flows. The window is open to the sea, And you are sitting next to me. No need for words, no grand display, You understand my silent way. The turning page, the distant gull, A quiet, comfortable lull. feeling a corner of the worn armchair, run your fingers through my hair. No calendar, no hurried pace, Just sunlight on your thoughtful face. The sand is tracked across the floor, We do not hurry to the door. This stillness settles in my soul, It makes me feel completely whole. A haven built of wood and sand, The gentle touch of your warm hand. This is the peace I've longed to find, An ease of heart, and soul, and mind.♥️