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Take one.. from the Top!

Written by Mary Webb

Photography by Brian Camp

Point Cabrillo lighthouse beckons visitors to Mendocino with it’s gorgeous beacon of light upon the fields and sea; with the addition of bi-monthly tours to explore the top of tower and lens, it was our good fortune to visit the lighthouse on such a tour-filled day! Only a short 1/2 mile hike from the parking lot and you are on your way to discover some delightful and historical characteristics of the 102 year old light house.

Pink wildflowers are strewn like bouquets inside the dry grass along the trail to Point Cabrillo and the view to the sea is outstanding. We were greeted by Coast Guard Auxiliarists outside the light house who were passionate to share the history and charm of Point Cabrillo.

Visible by land or sea

Before heading up to the top of the lighthouse, we were shown how it functioned before electricity. This third order lighthouse was initially run by kerosene! The light house required someone to be there at all times, not only to light it but also to turn the lens at a rate of 10 seconds per rotation. This was accomplished by wrapping a weight around the lens’ turning mechanism and allowing it to drop down 3 flights, through the ceilings and floors towards the bottom floor. This was done every two hours! During this time of Point Cabrillo’s existence, the light house was operational only throughout the night until electricity came about.

The lens is original in Point Cabrillo. A British Fresnel lens by Chance Bros. in 1909. The lens is unique, not only because it is out-cased in brass, but also because there are only 3 lenses in the United States that were made by British, most were made from the French.

Spectacular views await you on the Point Cabrillo tour

The view from the top of the light house was breathtaking over the sea, and the spinning lens was like a space ship getting ready for blast off. It was pretty dizzying to think of the lens spinning for 102 years every 10 seconds!

Point Cabrillo now serves the sea 24/7, thanks to the advancements of modern day technology. Light houses are defined to seaway travelers by the nautical light beam they produce. Point Cabrillo shoots out 19 nautical miles, thus distinguishing it as a point of reference for ships that may be lost.

There are adorable “cottages” you may rent near the light house that once served as the living quarters for the workers. Weddings are also taking place at Point Cabrillo for the amazing surrounding scenery.

Point Cabrillo is turning heads and will hopefully continue to turn for another 102 years of protecting our seaward travelers along the Mendocino coastline.