St. George Reef Light, Historic lighthouse on North West Seal Rock, California.
St. George Reef Light is a stone lighthouse built on a granite platform, standing about 6 miles offshore from the northern California coast near Seal Rock. The structure rises from this exposed rocky site and features a first-order Fresnel lens that once guided ships through these waters.
Construction began in 1883 following multiple shipwrecks in the area, particularly the loss of the Brother Jonathan. The project was undertaken to prevent further maritime disasters in this treacherous region.
The lighthouse embodies the relationship between people and the sea, serving as a reminder of the hazards sailors once faced in these waters. It stands as a symbol of human determination to guide vessels safely through one of the coast's most dangerous passages.
The lighthouse is only accessible by water, with helicopter tours available from October through May when weather permits. Visitors should plan visits during calmer months, as ocean conditions determine accessibility.
Waves frequently crash against the exposed granite rocks at heights reaching 50 feet (15 m), making this one of the Pacific coast's most exposed lighthouses. The structure endures some of the roughest ocean conditions found anywhere along the western coast.
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