One of Northern California’s most beloved lighthouses recently underwent a major renovation and it’s officially open to the public again so you can see it for yourself. Point Reyes Lighthouse is a historic gem that sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each and every year. After being closed for so many months due to the renovation, many Californians are eager to pay it a visit! Seeing this historic lighthouse and the excellent renovation that went into preserving it is a must for all history enthusiasts, so be sure to plan a field trip to this iconic destination soon.
The beautiful and historic Point Reyes Lighthouse has officially opened back up to the public after a lengthy renovation and we couldn't be more excited! Now you can see this lighthouse in all of its 149-year-old glory.
All in all, the historic lighthouse was closed off from the public for a heart-wrenching 13 months. That's definitely a long time for an attraction in Northern California that typically sees 400,000 annual visitors, but we think it was definitely worth it.
The lighthouse was originally commissioned to guide ships to safety in 1870, and it was officially decommissioned in 1975. The recent renovation that began in October 2018 was the only time in the lighthouse's lengthy history that the structure has ever been worked on.
Costing a whopping $5.7 million, the renovation was not an easy task. First of all, restoring the lighthouse to its former glory is a lot more difficult than simply knocking it down and building anew. In fact, the focus of the renovation was to restore and preserve the structure's original parts—not just put in new ones.
Around 200 workers were brought on to the arduous project. As a result, visitors can now see a lighthouse that is closer than ever to how it looked when it was first constructed. From the restored glass windows to the repaired crystal lantern, this lighthouse feels like a time capsule of 19th-century Northern California.
In fact, the workers on the lighthouse project came across an actual time capsule during the renovation process. Hidden behind some wood panelings, the time capsule was full of old newspapers and a piece of wood signed by the keeper in charge and his assistant. You can see it for yourself in the park's museum collection!
If you have yet to see the Point Reyes Lighthouse for yourself (or it's been awhile since you have), this is the perfect time to do so. Winter is a popular time of year to see the lighthouse and the Point Reyes National Seashore as a whole, especially as the whale watching season begins.
This lighthouse sure is a beauty and it's easy to see why so many people make the decision to visit it. However, it's also a treasured piece of NorCal history and it's worth every single stair step you'll tread to see it.
Learn more about visiting the restored lighthouse by checking out the Point Reyes National Seashore website here.
Will you be visiting the lovely Point Reyes Lighthouse anytime soon? If you love exploring NorCal’s amazing lighthouses, then definitely be sure to check out this Lighthouse Road Trip On The Northern California Coast.
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