Yerba Buena Light, Wooden lighthouse on Yerba Buena Island, San Francisco, US.
Yerba Buena Light is a wooden lighthouse on Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay, standing about 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall. The octagonal tower features a lantern room and railing, designed to guide maritime traffic through the busy waterway.
The lighthouse was established in 1875 when the Lighthouse Service relocated its district headquarters to Yerba Buena Island. This move reflected the growing importance of San Francisco Bay as a major shipping center.
The structure represents Late Gothic Revival and Stick/Eastlake architectural elements, earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
The lighthouse sits on an island accessible only by boat, making it best viewed from the water or nearby vantage points on the mainland. Visitor access to the island is limited, so viewing from the bay or downtown waterfront areas provides the best photographic opportunities.
The tower produces a distinctive white flash every four seconds that can be seen up to 14 nautical miles away across the bay. This consistent automated signal helps mariners navigate safely through the busy San Francisco Bay waters.
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