Oakland Harbor Light

Oakland Harbor Light is a lighthouse featuring a square tower rising from the center of a keeper's house, painted white with concrete foundations. The structure displays the functional design typical of harbor beacons from the late 1800s, with the tower and dwelling forming a single unified building.

The first lighthouse was built in 1890 to mark the Oakland Harbor entrance, but deteriorating wooden pilings made it unsafe by 1902. A larger replacement structure was constructed at the same location to continue guiding ships into the harbor.

The lighthouse became Quinn's Lighthouse Restaurant in 1984, blending maritime heritage with a dining space where people gather. Visitors experience the connection to the harbor's past while enjoying meals in a historic setting.

The lighthouse sits along Oakland's Embarcadero East waterfront in Cove Marina, open to visitors curious about its maritime architecture. Since it now operates as a restaurant, access is typically available during dining hours.

Inside the tower sat a fifth-order Fresnel lens and a 3,500-pound fog bell that would shake the entire structure when rung. The bell was struck every five seconds during foggy conditions to warn approaching ships of the harbor entrance.

Location: Alameda County

GPS coordinates: 37.78130,-122.24400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47