If you visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse on a sunny day, you will enjoy an experience that takes you back in time to the way it was in San Diego long ago. This point of land jutting into the waters of both the bay and the ocean, provides a relaxing place to take in the beauty all around. 
Discovered by explorer Juan Cabrillo in 1542, Point Loma stands at the entrance to the sheltered bay. 
The sailboats sail by, and military vessels ply the waters, too. Across the bay today is the island of Coronado, which is home to a large naval base. We watched helicopters beating the air over the ships, practicing takeoffs and landings. You will also spot the red roofs of the iconic Hotel del Coronado. 
Up on top of the hill stands the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, opened in 1854. It’s “old” because it’s been replaced by a newer lighthouse that’s down on the shore. But its charm remains. 
When we visited recently, we viewed more rooms of the inside living quarters than are usually open. The lighthouse keeper lived here with his family in this small place high on a windswept crest. When they needed supplies, they made the long journey into town in their horse-drawn buggy.
The winding stairs of a lighthouse always fascinate me. 
The family’s backyard gave them this view of the Pacific Ocean. Not too shabby. 
One of the older Fresnel lights from the top of the lighthouse is on display. You can learn more about how the lights work, too. 
Near the lighthouse is this whalebone monument. Every year, whales migrate south near here. 
When you visit, you can also drive down the windy road to the base of the hill on the ocean side and explore the tide pools and cliffs. And marvel at the breathtaking view.
With a bit of imagination, you can picture yourself living out here on the point in the 1800s, growing your own food in the garden, and running up and down those winding stairs. Yes, light and life filled the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. 
If you go:
Address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
Fee: $10 per car; free with a National Parks pass. An annual pass is $20.
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32 Comments
Aah heard so much about Point Loma, and used to live so close, but isn’t it strange, how the places one lives close to, are always postponed in visiting? Still have not been there! Love particularly your capture of the Fresnel lights!Thank you much for taking us at ALL SEASONS with you to this beautiful light house and the views of San Diego from there!
Beautiful scenery.
A fabulous tour and the views and beathtaking. Great photography
What beautiful blue skies! Love the views!
Beautiful place and lovely views
Such beautiful photos. Your lighthouse made me think of the wonderful book “The Light Between Oceans” which I have recently finished reading. I highly recommend it. I learnt so much about lighthouses.
We were there two years ago. I took some of the same photos you show here, especially of the winding staircase. It is a lovely spot and the trip up there is also good going past the submarine base.
Thanks for sharing your visit to this lighthouse. I’ve always wanted to visit it since I read about it 20 years or so ago. The water is so blue!
wonderful post and images. I can project myself into your photos – beautiful day, great location, wandering around with camera… bliss!
Lighthouses are so interesting and I’m glad you shared your tour with us. I would not mind the solitude of the life there. The whale monument is quite impressive.
Another great post! I’m very fond of lighthouses!
Discovered you thru Our World Tuesday. Great post!
Beautiful photos as per usual! I’m visiting the East coast of Canada soon, and hope to see many beautiful lighthouses!
what a beautiful lighthouse inside and outside. love the fresnel light image and the views from up top. gorgeous images.
Great photos – what a beautiful lighthouse! And that view is stunning! We were at the Cabrillo National Monument in November to see the tide pools but didn’t have a chance to visit the lighthouse or whalebone monument – hope to visit again next time we’re in San Diego. #CityTripping
It’s such a cute lighthouse! My family and I took one of our family pictures there for a sunny Christmas card when I was a kid! We didn’t go in though! I plan to visit again next year when we make it home and definitely stopping here! #CityTripping
such a pretty lighthouse #citytripping
I have to admit I have a bit of a thing about lighthouses as we live by one – but not one with proper rooms! This looks a really quirky and quaint place to visit. Your photos are lovely. #CityTripping
I’m ready to head to sunny San Diego right now! I wish….
Wonderful photos, Sharon! I visited the Old Point Loma Lighthouse about 9 years ago! It was lovely and the views were magnificent I don’t remember the whale spine monument–that was interesting to see!. I was amazed what a deep blue the Pacific Ocean is, compared to the more greenish Atlantic Ocean.
Lighthouses are my favourite and I would love to see the whale migration. What a beautiful spot. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
What fabulous photos – there’s something very special about the idea of living in a lighthouse (and what a view to have). The whalebone scupture is fascinating as well.I wish we’d had time to get to San Diego on our California trip last year, but hopefully one day we’ll go back – and this is definitely on the list. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
The sea is so amazingly blue. I want to dive right in.
Amalia
xo
My in-laws live northeast of San Diego and we have visited the Point Loma lighthouse when there visiting them. It is such a stunning place out there on the tip. It was sunset when we were there and just beautiful. Your images as always are amazing – thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Lovely! I’ve been doing quite a bit of exploring in that area lately and this place is on my list! Glad to see it will be worth fighting the 405… #farawayfiles
To me, this is one of the most beautiful spots in San Diego. I love taking visitors to Lo Jolla and to this place. For some reason, I do not remember the stairs (I think I saw them). I hope to get back to this spots soon (and to the tide pools area too).
Lovely post! I grew up in Point Loma and remember taking bike rides out to the light house as a kid. Your photographs are wonderful and really capture the beauty out there!
#farawayfiles
Lighthouses are so romantic. Well they’re near the ocean which I love so much – fancy having that view all day! Great shot looking down the stairs!
I love lighthouses and San Diego is one of my top spots in the US that I want to visit. I’m pinning this for future reference for when we do go. #weekendwanderlust
Well that is a fun place to visit. I feel like I have missed a ton of your travels over the last few weeks. I have to get back to visiting here regularly. I just love your place here Sharon.
When we visited the area in 2010, the visitors center and lighthouse were already closed for the day, but we did explore those cliffs and watched the sun set over an ocean for the first time (we are accustomed to ocean sunrises on the east coast!). I enjoyed looking at your pics of the interior of the lighthouse since we missed it. Thanks for sharing! #weekendwanderlust
Loved our visit there. We didn’t make it last time we went a couple weeks ago. My son in law is stationed at that base.