Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove

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Most lighthouse are on a rocky spit of land just on shore, or on the bluffs of rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean, but in Pacific Grove, the Point Pinos Lighthouse sits back off the rocky shoreline with a golf course surrounding the lighthouse grounds. I trust that all sailors at sea, must realize the distance of the lighthouse to the rocks below, or running aground would be an easy thing to do.

The most amazing thing about this lighthouse is that when built in 1855 the lens was installed, the light was lit, and it still has the original lens. The light has been lit continuously since first lit.

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The west coast's oldest continuously operating lighthouse. Completed in 1855, it is located at the western edge of Pacific Grove in the middle of the Pacific Grove Golf Course about 150 yards from the rocky beach. I believe the name is Spanish and therefore pronounced "Point Peenyos" and not pronounced the English way, which sounds eerily similar to a phallic term for a phallic lighthouse.

This was the first of 16 lighthouse built on the West Coast after the US took control of the area from Mexico. This lighthouse marks the south entrance to Monterey Bay, and it still uses the original 1855 third order fresnel lens. The Point Pinos light is famous not only for being the oldest, but also for being one of the first to have female light keepers... this one had women in charge for 25 years long before it was common. The light was automated in 1975, and the old keeper's house has been restored for use as a museum.

The museum is open Thursdayy through Monday from 1pm to 4pm. Donations are accepted.