Point Cabrillo Light Station Trail

Parking is available at the main entrance to the Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. From the parking area, you can choose between a paved access road or a dirt path to reach the lighthouse and other coastal trails.

Yes, this trail is considered easy and is very suitable for beginners and families. The paved access road offers a gentle, downhill walk to the lighthouse, and the coastal trails generally have good footing. It's a great option for a scenic and accessible outing.

Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the paved access road leading to the lighthouse. Please ensure your dog remains on a leash and you clean up after them to help keep the park beautiful for everyone.

The trail offers beautiful scenery year-round. For whale watching, visit between December and April to spot gray whales, or in summer and fall for blue and humpback whales. The weather along the Mendocino coast can be variable, so dressing in layers is always a good idea.

Typically, there are no entrance fees to access the Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park or its trails. However, donations are always appreciated to help maintain this historic site.

You'll encounter varied terrain. The primary path from the parking lot is a paved access road, offering an easy walk. Alternatively, a dirt path winds through coastal prairie. Once near the lighthouse, coastal trails are generally narrow dirt paths along the bluff with good footing.

The area is rich in wildlife. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and various seabirds. During migration seasons, it's a prime spot for whale watching, particularly gray whales from December to April.

The main attraction is the beautifully restored Point Cabrillo Light Station, an active lighthouse with its original Fresnel lens. You'll also see historic lightkeeper houses, one serving as a 1930s museum and another with a marine science exhibit. The trail itself is part of the larger California Coastal Trail, and you can view Frolic Cove, site of an 1850 shipwreck.

Yes, the route is part of the larger California Coastal Trail. Within the park, you'll find a network of paths, including sections known as the Point Cabrillo Light Station and Light Station Coastal Trail, which offer additional exploration opportunities.

The primary path to the lighthouse is generally an out-and-back experience, whether you take the paved road or the dirt path. However, once at the lighthouse, there are coastal trails that allow for some looping and exploration around the headland.

At the light station, you'll find historic lightkeeper houses, one of which functions as a 1930s period museum, and another houses a marine science exhibit with a large saltwater aquarium. Restrooms are available, and there's the unique option to stay overnight in restored lightkeeper houses.