The mighty Pacific Ocean was never conducive to safe harbors, and its rugged California shoreline made early seafaring perilous. Large natural ports like San Diego, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland necessarily aggregated vast urban areas around them. Far from these bustling epicenters, however, is a different kind of coastal traffic, where seals and otters dominate instead of shipping containers and the cranes are avian, not manmade. While the Atlantic and the Great Lakes coastlines have vastly more lighthouses, California’s treasured few are worth seeking out. Leave metropolitan California behind and drive long expanses of San Mateo, Marin and Mendocino counties. Below are three historic lighthouses where you can wine, dine and stay while safely experiencing the crashing Pacific surf that brought many earlier sailors to sad fates. Pack your hiking shoes and a picnic, prep your Spotify playlist and jump in the car this summer. Visit one or all three depending on how much time you can take to explore our great Golden Coast. 

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero

Tucked along Highway 1 just north of Santa Cruz, this magical place offers a variety of accommodations to suit a variety of travelers. From basic hostel bunkbeds and shared kitchen facilities to three-bedroom private vacation homes, Pigeon Point works for groups of many sizes and ages. Tidepools and a private beach are perfect for younger kids and hiking trails abound. For a scenic view above the lighthouse, try Wilbur’s Watch which is a short, two-mile trail that includes a telescope at the top for marine life sightings. Dine at nearby Cascade Restaurant and Bar for an incredible meal with produce grown on-site at the organic gardens of Costanoa. Venture a little further south and up the hill to Bonny Doon to taste wines at the infamous Lost Weekend bar—a 100-year-old general store turned speakeasy that now houses the Beauregard Vineyards tasting room. Note that recent wildfires were devastating to this community so it’s a great time to toast to the majestic redwood trees and to the heroes who saved them, while spending some money locally.

East Brother Lighthouse, San Rafael

Here where the San Francisco Bay merges with the San Pablo Bay is one of California’s most iconic lighthouses, which now offers an incredible all-inclusive epicurean adventure.  Forget the ferry to Alcatraz and upgrade your game with a stay at this B&B.  First lit in 1874 by the US Government, the lighthouse itself is a maritime history textbook that reflects the evolving role of the Coast Guard in protecting one of California’s most critical waterways.  At one time slotted for demolition, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and has operated as a B&B since 1980. It’s widely cited as one of the most romantic places to spend the weekend so leave the kids behind for this one. Guests can stay in one of five available rooms, four in the lighthouse and one in the original fog signal building. Your stay includes boat service to and from the island, Champagne and appetizers, a four-course gourmet dinner, full breakfast and a tour of the Fog Signal Building/Lighthouse. Soak in the views of Mt. Tamalpais and the San Francisco skyline while enjoying fine local wines and a superb dining experience.

Point Arena Lighthouse, Pt. Arena 

Mendocino’s south coast is a wonderland of shimmering emerald inlets, frolicking sea creatures and quiet reflection. Situated between Fort Bragg to the north and Gualala and Sea Ranch to the south, Point Arena offers the perfect mix of both solitude and recreation. The lighthouse hosts seven separate rental units that are designed to accommodate couples or larger family groups. 

Stay close to the Lighthouse and hike the beautiful Pelican Bluffs trail, a birding paradise. Then head to town and indulge in some of the best coffee brewed in NorCal at Little Green Bean Roastery. Get a cortado and take beans to go; you’ll want them at home. Do not miss the deceptively named Point Arena Mexican Restaurant just across the street from Little Green Bean where a husband-and-wife team are making some of the best tacos this taco snob has ever tasted in an immaculate, postage-stamp sized location. If you’re feeling like a bit of a drive, visit Sea Glass Beach in Fort Bragg where decades of dumping off the local cliffs and a curious ocean current pattern created dunes of sparkling sea glass. Decades of collectors and improved recycling programs mean the beach is fast disappearing so go while you still can. Kids might enjoy the popular Skunk Train ride through the redwoods while up north in Fort Bragg as well.