Piedras Blancas Light Station
- The Piedras Blancas Light Station is a historic landmark on California's central coast. Located on a rugged, windswept point of land six miles north of Hearst Castle along California's scenic Highway 1, the Lighthouse was first illuminated in 1875, and today beckons the visitor for respite from the modern world.
The Piedras Blancas Light Station is named for the distinctive white rocks that loom just offshore. These rocks and the rugged shoreline are home to seabirds, sea lions, and elephant seals. Over 70 native plant species can be found on the 19 acres surrounding the Light Station.
Over the years, earthquakes have caused damage to the lighthouse. An earthquake on the last day of 1948 resulted in the upper part of the lighthouse being declared structurally unsound. In 1949, the upper three levels (fourth landing, watch room, and lantern) were removed.
The Bureau of Land Management manages the Piedras Blancas Light Station as a historic park, wildlife sanctuary, and research station.
Access to Piedras Blancas by guided tours only. Tours are offered year-round and feature cultural and natural history, as well as spectacular scenery.
Piedras Blancas Light Station tours available at 9:45am ONLY. Tours of the light station are approximately 2 hours long. - Summer Schedule: June 15 - August 31 ( Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.)
- Fall/Winter/Spring Schedule: September 1 - June 14 ( Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays .)
- The Piedras Blancas Light Station is a historic landmark on California's central coast. Located on a rugged, windswept point of land six miles north of Hearst Castle along California's scenic Highway 1, the Lighthouse was first illuminated in 1875, and today beckons the visitor for respite from the modern world.
The Piedras Blancas Light Station is named for the distinctive white rocks that loom just offshore. These rocks and the rugged shoreline are home to seabirds, sea lions, and elephant seals. Over 70 native plant species can be found on the 19 acres surrounding the Light Station.
Over the years, earthquakes have caused damage to the lighthouse. An earthquake on the last day of 1948 resulted in the upper part of the lighthouse being declared structurally unsound. In 1949, the upper three levels (fourth landing, watch room, and lantern) were removed.
The Bureau of Land Management manages the Piedras Blancas Light Station as a historic park, wildlife sanctuary, and research station.
Access to Piedras Blancas by guided tours only. Tours are offered year-round and feature cultural and natural history, as well as spectacular scenery.
Piedras Blancas Light Station tours available at 9:45am ONLY. Tours of the light station are approximately 2 hours long. - Summer Schedule: June 15 - August 31 ( Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.)
- Fall/Winter/Spring Schedule: September 1 - June 14 ( Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays .)
Need to Know
- Need to know
- Tours meet at 9:45 a.m. at the (former) Piedras Blancas Motel at 16420 Cabrillo Highway, San Simeon, CA 93452, located 1.5 miles north of the light station.
- Tours will be met by lighthouse staff at the motel, given a brief orientation, and then travel in personal vehicles behind a lead car to the light station.
- The weather here is very unpredictable so dress in layers.
- Groups of 10 or more, please contact lighthouse staff to make sure we can accommodate your group. Call 805-927-7361 or email: piedrasblancastours@gmail.com
- Park Email Address: piedrasblancastours@gmail.com. Please contact us directly with any questions.
- Tour fees: $10/adult, $5/individual with senior or access interagency pass, $5/youth ages 6-17, Free/children ages 5 and younger.
- People with senior or access interagency pass (National Parks passes for people 62 years or older and passes for people with disabilities) will receive a discount of 50% for the cardholder only.
- For more information about interagency passes, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Changes and Cancellations
No refunds once tour starts. See Facility Rates for fees.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Box 129 San Simeon CA 93452
Phone Number
805-927-7361 PIEDRASBLANCASTOURS@GMAIL.COM
