Point Arena Lighthouse
Point Arena, CA
Point Arena Lighthouse stands on a rocky point with guided tours up the tower, on-site lodging, and some of the more reliable whale watching on the Mendocino coast. It's less a beach stop than a genuine historic attraction, worth building a stop around on its own rather than folding into a beach day.
A genuinely well run historic lighthouse with real tours and lodging, though it's a landmark stop rather than a beach and takes real time to do justice.
How we score beachesBook the tower tour in advance if you're set on climbing it, and time your visit for whale watching season if that's part of the draw.
A day use fee applies; the exact amount is best confirmed at the entrance station.
The path from parking to the lighthouse grounds isn't documented in detail; expect uneven, rocky terrain typical of a working headland.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds and trails at Point Arena Lighthouse, though they cannot join lighthouse tower tours.
Winter and spring bring the best whale watching from the lighthouse grounds, while summer mornings tend to start foggy.
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