Trip Planner:
USA
/
California
/
San Luis Obispo County
/
Cambria
/
Piedras Blancas Light House Lens
Piedras Blancas Light Station is located at Point Piedras Blancas, about west by northwest of San Simeon, California. It was added to the California Coastal National Monument in 2017.Make Piedras Blancas Light House Lens a part of your Cambria vacation plans using our Cambria day trip planner.
The first-order Fresnel lens at Piedras Blancas was first illuminated on February 15, 1875. The Piedras Blancas lighthouse was originally high to the top of the ventilator ball, but earthquakes damaged the structure over the years. On December 31, 1948, final damage from an earthquake centered off the point led to the decision to remove the upper three floors: the fourth landing, watch room, and lantern. Missing the ornate upper floors, the truncated lighthouse now stands about tall. The lens was moved and is on display in the nearby community of Cambria. A sound signal was added in 1906.
In 1939, management was transferred from the United States Lighthouse Service to the United States Coast Guard. In 1975, the light was automated, the sound signal removed, and the light station was unmanned. A group of biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received permission to establish a biological research station in 1977. In 2001, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) assumed management of the site and was tasked to offer structured public access, allow site-specific research to continue, and restore the light station to its period of greatest historical significance (1875 to 1940). The Piedras Blancas Light Station Association is a non-profit partner of the BLM, helping to raise funds for restoration and maintenance.
Source
Create a full itinerary - for free!
Piedras Blancas Light House Lens reviews
-
I like lighthouses and getting so close to the lighthouse lens was amazing! This is right on Main Street in Cambria and we were able to park our RV at the parking lot of the Veterans Memorial...
I like lighthouses and getting so close to the lighthouse lens was amazing! This is right on Main Street in Cambria and we were able to park our RV at the parking lot of the Veterans Memorial... more »
-
We have seen this lighthouse lens for many many years now, but got to go on the Lighthouse tour for the first time today, wow, a great time was had and now we know where this lens came from!
We have seen this lighthouse lens for many many years now, but got to go on the Lighthouse tour for the first time today, wow, a great time was had and now we know where this lens came from! more »
-
Great tour. Very scenic location.
-
Went to farmers market,Always find something. Love the mushrooms.
Plan your trip to Cambria
Get a personalized tripA full day by day itinerary based on your preferences Customize itRefine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedules Manage itEverything in one place. Everyone on the same page.Know more
Popular things to do in Cambria
Side trips from Cambria
Hidden gems in Cambria
Museums in Cambria
Historic Sites in Cambria
Trips in Piedras Blancas Light House Lens by other users
3 days in Cambria
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Nitt Witt Ridge
The Old Santa Rosa Creek Chapel
Piedras Blancas Light House Lens
14 days in California
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Carmel
Monterey
Big Sur
26 days in California
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Dana Point
Malibu
Westlake Village
14 days in California
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Carmel
Monterey
Big Sur
15 days in California's Wine Coast Country
BY A USER FROM CANADA
Cambria
19 days in California's Wine Coast Country
BY A USER FROM SOUTH KOREA
San Simeon
Arroyo Grande