By Jean Wilson, Resident of Pelican Point, Point San Luis Light Station, Volunteer Bookkeeper

This 130-year-old Historic Landmark sits high on a bluff just around the point from Whaler’s Island and the breakwater.  She has served as a beacon guiding mariners into San Luis Bay since her light first shown on June 30, 1890.

The original Station consisted of 5 buildings, the Fog Signal Building, the Head Keepers Quarters with attached Lantern Tower, The Assistant Keepers Duplex, the Coal House, and the Oil House.  Four of the original buildings remain, but unfortunately, the Assistant Keepers Duplex fell into disrepair and was replaced with a barracks-style building by the Coast Guard during the WWII era.  

Our coastal gem is the only survivor of 3 identical Lighthouses built in the Prairie Victorian Style on the Pacific Coast and is maintained today by the Coast Guard as an automated light.  The original Fresnel Lens from the Lantern Tower is on display in the Fog Signal Building.  The Light Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

In 1995 a group of dedicated volunteers formed a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation to restore, preserve and operate this 30-acre preserve for the education and recreational enjoyment of the public.  In conjunction with the Port San Luis Harbor District and PG&E, 2 Million dollars in grants and donations, over 80,000 volunteer hours, and an additional 1.3 Million dollars to rebuild the one-lane access road, the Light Station was ready for visitors.

We hope to resume our scheduled docent-led van tours and docent-led hikes up the Pecho Coast Trail, along with special events, private events, summer concerts, and weddings in the near future.  Since the safety of our visitors and volunteers is of primary importance, we will follow all state guidelines.

In the mean-time, water enthusiasts may paddle out to Whaler’s Beach and enjoy our free self-guided walking tour of the grounds. 

Bring your cell phone as there are QR codes posted on each building for the enhancement of your tour.  

Visit our Website, pointsanluislighthouse.org, for further information about on-line virtual tours, upcoming events, on-line gift shop, make donations, become a member of the Keepers, and much more.  

All donations go toward further restoration of the site.

If you haven’t visited, be sure to put a visit on your Bucket List; if you have visited, be sure to come back and see what’s new.