Ballast Point Light, Integral lighthouse at San Diego Bay, California, US.
Description
Ballast Point Light was a lighthouse in San Diego Bay featuring a square wooden tower connected to the keeper's dwelling at the harbor channel entrance. Today an automated light system mounted on a water piling continues to send signals, flashing white every four seconds to guide ships into the bay.
History
The lighthouse was built in 1890 and operated with a steady white light until its deactivation in 1960. Its construction marked a turning point in making the harbor's entrance safer for maritime traffic.
Culture
The lighthouse marks the spot where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first landed in 1542 and named the harbor San Miguel before Vizcaino changed it to San Diego.
Practical
The lighthouse sits at the bay's channel entrance and is visible from various waterfront vantage points. Best views of the light are from Sunset Cliffs or nearby beaches during low tide when water levels drop.
Did you know?
The original fifth-order Fresnel lens from Ballast Point Light is preserved and on display at the Cabrillo National Monument museum. Visitors can see the glass optical device that once magnified and projected the light signal across the water.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (San Diego County).
USS Midway
6.2 km
Hotel del Coronado
5.1 km
Star of India
6.7 km
Cabrillo National Monument
1.6 km
Naval Training Center San Diego
5.8 km
Maritime Museum of San Diego
6.7 km
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel
6.6 km
San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina
6.7 km
Old Point Loma lighthouse
1.8 km
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
4.7 km
Berkeley
6.7 km
New Point Loma Lighthouse
2.6 km
Embarcadero
6.3 km
Broadway Pier, San Diego
6.3 km
Rosecroft
1.7 km
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
6.6 km
Pilot
6.7 km
Electra
6.7 km
Advanced Equities Plaza
6.8 km
The Grande at Santa Fe Place
6.8 km
Benito Juárez
6.7 km
Shedding the Cloak
6.7 km
Heilman Villas
5.2 km
Morning
6.3 km
Sede de la Policía, Cárceles y Tribunales de la Ciudad de San Diego
6.5 km
Cabrillo Visitor Center
1.4 km
Mather Plaque in Cabrillo National Monument
1.5 km
Bayside By Bosa
6.8 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes