point cabrillo light station state historic park

At first I was reserved about having to park and walk 1/2 mile downhill to the lighthouse, and then 1/2 mile uphill on the way back, especially since it was approaching dusk and I noticed an ominous sign warning of mountain lions... But we decided to do it anyway, as it looked like it was going to be a gorgeous adventure. And we were right! I'm so glad we hoofed it down there. There are interactive signs which educate walkers on gray whales (who migrate off their coast in the winter until the beginning of spring) we passed a family of deer grazing in the field nearby and got to witness a beautiful sunset. The lighthouse itself was closed by the time we got there but we didn't mind, we were mostly going to view the coastline anyway. It was nice to see the lighthouse up close though. It's very quaint & old fashioned. The walk back up to our car wasn't bad either. It uphill, but the grade isn't too steep. It was definitely worth it.

lovely half a mile walk ( handicapped drive allowed) down to the beautiful lighthouse, museum and marine center. Wonderful exhibits, great books, etc. in the gift shop and great trails too. Perfect place to see migrating whales in March and late February as they swim closer in then with babies in tow! Friendly, helpful volunteer docents!

We took a walk down to the Light House Station early in the morning. There is about 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot. The morning and the walk was beautiful. It was a crisp morning and we found many deer on our walk. It was quiet, as the station house had not opened and we only met up with two people along the way - great for taking pictures and a time of solitude.

The visit to the historic lighthouse is worth the walk down to the headlands. The small museum at the lighthouse is informative, with friendly volunteers. Check out the marine science display in the blacksmith's shop. One of the residences is restored and open for visitors. Beautiful park-like setting.

This is a great place if you want to either take a short walk from the upper parking lot to the lighthouse or drive directly to the lighthouse. We were lucky enough to be there on a perfectly clear day with 70 degree temps and you could see forever. The lighthouse and the lighthouse resident homes are so very well kept. It is a romantic spot and on a nice day would be a great place for a picnic but watch your little ones because there are no fences around the cliffs.

Its about a mile walk down to the lighthouse, with fun little fact signs along the way for my young kids to read. The lighthouse and surrounding grounds are beautiful and great for photos. Wonderful stop while exploring the NorCal coast line, and the docent on staff there was incredibly friendly and informative!

It's beautiful. Isolated, windswept, stunning views. Stunning. Ideal spot for oceanscape photos. It's also a long walk though downhill to get to the light house from the parking lot. THe walk back uphill feels a lot longer.

This was quite a pleasant surprise. The light house is small by many standards but still functional . The gift shop and grounds are wonderful. The Docent was very educational and the whale watching superb.

The lighthouse is set on the tip of the coast, and is a perfect spot to watch the waves, walk, and/or picnic. The light station is a short walk from the parking area.

This park has to be one of the California State Park gems. The grounds are natural and the views of the Pacific Ocean fantastic. The lighthouse and associated museum tell the story of the sometimes hard and lonely life of lighthouse keepers and their families. A piece of California history that you shouldn't miss.

We lucked out on New Yrs day, the whale migration is in full swing, and we saw hundreds of spouts and gray whales. A few even came fairly close, since this is the western most point of the contiguous US. Local volunteers and lighthouse aficionados have kept this historical site from closing, so support the lighthouse. Be prepared for wind, and incredible views if weather permits. Bring your binocs. You can also spot seals, and if you're lucky, dolphins, which I saw last yr. lots of birds and deer in the area . The whales migrate south in Dec-Jan, and north with their calves in March.

This lighthouse is in a peaceful setting surrounded by beautiful headlands and rocky cliffs. Be prepared that it is a half mile walk from the parking area each way. It is free of charge, although you cannot climb the lighthouse. There is an exhibit explaining the history of the light as well as a gift shop inside the actual lighthouse. There is also a small aquarium on the grounds. The view was spectacular and I have been told that whales are frequently spotted off the coast there. Very peaceful to just sit and admire the beauty of nature around you.

I recently stopped in here at the suggestion of the innkeeps at Agate Cove Inn. Lucky for my son and I, they were actually celebrating the extension of their federal funding that Saturday and we were lucky enough to get a tour for a very reasonable price of $5 per person. The people who work take great pride in the history of the lighthouse and it shows when they give the tour. All of them were incredibly friendly and warm people. Visiting this lighthouse and taking the tour is something I would recommend to fellow travelers.

Loved the walk (1/2 mile in and 1/2 mile out - easy walk) Loved the quaint gift shop, had some great books and artifacts. Also enjoyed the aquarium with local ocean life that you would find right there off the coast, and in the tide pools. Also enjoyed walking through the lighthouse keepers house. Very well maintained.

Had a great time at the light house. All run by volunteers that were super knowledgeable about the history not only of the lighthouse, but also the town.