Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Lighthouse in San Mateo County, California, United States

Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a 35-meter brick tower along California State Route 1, sending out a white light signal every ten seconds. The site includes the tower itself along with several historic buildings that once housed the keepers and their families.

The Carrier Pigeon wrecked on this headland in 1853, giving the point and the lighthouse their name. The tower was built in 1871 and its first-order Fresnel lens, made by Henry-LePaute in Paris, was first lit at sunset on November 15, 1872. The lens had earlier served at Cape Hatteras from 1863 until that tower was deactivated in 1870, then was shipped west for installation here.

The headland and tower are named after the Carrier Pigeon, a ship wrecked here in 1853. Since the mid-1960s the restored keepers' housing has operated as a youth hostel run by HI USA, where guests of all ages share kitchens and living rooms.

Those wishing to stay overnight can choose from dormitory beds to entire house rentals in the former keepers' quarters. Access is from Highway 1, and arriving early helps secure parking near the shoreline.

The original French Fresnel lens produced a light equivalent to 500,000 candles using just 1000 watts. This brightness made the tower one of the most powerful navigational aids along the California coast.