California Photo Scout

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

The dramatic headlands north of Mendocino encompass Point Cabrillo SHP with its photogenic light station and historic light keepers’ residences. After the clipper “Frolic” ran aground at Pt. Cabrillo, the salvage team soon found the ship looted by local Indians. The rich logging prospects caused the men to construct the first sawmill here and soon the wood industry flourished. Construction of the lighthouse started after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the subsequent surge in demand for Redwoods.

The lighthouse, a combination of light station and foghorn, is open to the public and should be on your list of things to see along the Mendocino Coast.

Point Cabrillo Light Station will be one of the most pleasant stops on your trip along Highway 1. Shooting subjects are predictable; except for days with exceptional weather, during stormy sunsets or other defining factors, the images you can take here will look predictable too. You can expect a pleasant stroll and a visual record of your presence at Point Cabrillo, which is still worth getting out of the car for. However, if you are a lighthouse fan, you should not miss Point Cabrillo light station. I would also prefer it to Point Arena Lighthouse if you want to visit just one of the two.

How to get there

Take Pt. Cabrillo Dr., about two miles north of Mendocino. Follow the signs toward the lighthouse visitor center where you must park your car. From here, it is one half mile to the lighthouse along a pleasant paved road. If you are walking impaired and have a special permit, you can drive almost all the way to the lighthouse and park in front of the lighthouse keepers’ houses.

GPS position

N39 20.914 W123 49.567

How to photograph Point Cabrillo Light Station

Pt Cabrillo Light Station

I noticed that the Fresnel lens focuses the light beam so that it is barely visible when you are standing close to the lighthouse. I took the photograph at the top of this page in front of the lighthouse keepers’ dwellings with a telephoto zoom lens, to get the glowing light beam. I took the picture below just minutes earlier, but this one gives the impression that the light is off.

Walk around the lighthouse and look for interesting foregrounds. During my visit at the height of summer, the options were limited, but if you come here during spring, wildflowers will bloom in abundance and the grass will be green instead.

Include a few people in your photographs, but make sure they are far away to keep the center of attention on the lighthouse. Although it is hard to pick people, if you are patient, you can wait for the right group to stroll in front of your lens. A couple of lovers or children are among my favorite subjects.

Though interesting looking, the lighthouse keepers’ buildings with their beautifully landscaped gardens are just average subjects for photography. I found the birdfeeder outside one of the houses more interesting.

Best Time of the Day and Best Season

Birdfeeder

Morning to early afternoon and sunset are the best times to shoot here. I took these photographs in summer, but spring should give you green grass and wildflower carpets, making it the preferred time for a visit. Foggy summer days can give you good shooting conditions, especially for black and white photography or conversion.

Time required

You need at least one hour, preferably two to walk the distance and take a few good shots.

What you need

• Telephoto Lens (about 200mm)
• Normal Lens (50mm)
• Wind Jacket and a hat
• Patience

Fees

The suggested donation is $2 per person, which is not enforced.

Difficulty Photographing

Pt. Cabrillo Lighthouse can be a test of your patience and that of your fellow travelers. It may take quite some time until people move out of your frame to open up a clear view of the lighthouse. At times, it can be frustrating, especially since everyone is completely oblivious to your purpose most of the time. Stay calm and explain to your group why you need to hang out here for a while.

Close Locations

• Jug Handle Creek
• Historic Fort Bragg and Noyo Harbor
• Fort Bragg Skunk Train
• Ten Mile Beach and Dunes, Ten Mile River
• Russian Gulch SP
• Mendocino
• Van Damme State Park and Beach
• Navarro River Redwoods State Park
• Manchester Beach SP
• Point Arena Lighthouse
• Bowling Ball Beach

Useful Resources

Pt. Cabrillo on Lighthousefriends

Main Website

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