This lighthouse is a must see. For $2.00 you get a fun and informative lesson on the property's history. You can see everything in about 90 minutes. The lighthouse is ran by some of the sweetest woman I have ever met. They are so kind and genuinely care that you have a good time and love to interact with everyone that walks through he door. read more

What a neat find! The docents working were EXTREMELY knowledgeable and a wealth of information about not only the lighthouse but the area in general. The ask a $4 donation per adult ($2 for kids) to help maintain the lighthouse. It's set up for different time periods in different rooms. I dig old buildings with history so this was worth the price for the time spent. Definitely worth a stop just to see an old piece of CA coastal history. read more

Such a beautiful sight. You get to actually go inside the lighthouse and see all the rooms. It is small and tight and stairs are narrow but it's amazing history and such a cute little house. The actual light house on the top is blocked off but you can still see it. read more

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This review is on behalf of another visitor who was in a wheelchair...The sign says there says they are wheel chair accessible. However, you cannot go into the lighthouse at all because all of the entrances have steps. The gentleman was trying to do what he could to show a video on a laptop. He tried taking her into a garden but the one entrance to the small area that had benches so the person with her could sit was not wide enough to enter. The gentleman had a great idea to show the video to the woman on the small gift shop. Again this guy was trying to do what he could. I was in the gift shop when he stepped in & said something the person working in there about his idea. She scoffed at the idea saying she didn't have any room. The gentleman points out that they do say they are handicap accessible. And then the person in the wheelchair & the person comes in. Nasty gift shop lady in a hateful tone "Well, I guess I have no choice now." That was one grumpy gift shop worker!!! At least she is able to get herself around as she needs to but she wanted to hinder the gentleman trying to do what he could to improve the visitor of someone in a wheelchair. You may claim to be handicap assessible but if your lighthouse has no means of access & you have volunteers who don't want to be accomodating, then you are NOT handicap accessible. read more

Driving through Pacific Grove and came upon this gem. Deyanne the docent was awesome so full of knowledge and love for what she does made the visit that much more enjoyable, can't wait to bring my children on the next visit read more

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Only opened for a few hours a day, it is easy to miss. Nestled in Monterey's old downtown, this is a spot you must visit when stopping by the city. There is a fee, but you get a tour with the small fee. My favorite part about point Pinos is the garden area, where you can sit and enjoy the incredible views. On my last visit 10/1/18, I was able to spot 4 humpback whales making its way through the ocean. It was really something! They even have a sign indicating where whale watching is good throughout the coast of Monterey/Santa Cruz/ Carmel area. read more

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It was worth the drive to visit the Museum and paying their suggested donation. I would suggest for you to start going to the basement. Their assigned docent was very knowledgeable to explain the history of the place and it's mechanics. Don't expect to use a restroom there. Got to hold it till you hit nearby store. read more

Point Pinos Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Fully furnished lighthouse. Pretty cool stuff in there. Staff was friendly and informative. Didn't see any butterflies though... in the city of butterflies. read more

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Nice lighthouse in Pacific Grove. Plan about an hour to go through it. The volunteers are helpful and look forward to answer any questions you have about it. Check the times as it is open only certain days and time. Admission $2 adults, $1 6 and up and under 5 free. Overall very neat for all ages. read more

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Only open 1p to 4p ... limited days Tuesday thru Sunday for most part .. it's right at golf course edge read more

Point Pinos Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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It felt great to be out near the ocean. My family liked observing a hummingbird by the fountain as well as reading about the different kinds of fuel that powered the light before the switch to electricity. We visited with a six year old who had his arm stamped with an ink image of a lighthouse and was allowed to hit the buoy bell downstairs with a hammer. The binoculars, Victorian bedroom, and wartime radio kept his interest upstairs. His favorite souvenir from the gift shop was a combination compass/whistle. read more

Have super sentimental memories about this lighthouse and always will;) The oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast. The light has been on since 1855 with only 2 exceptions, world war II and the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. The light is still maintained by the Coast Guard and still functioning although most people pretty much use GPS, there are those sailing diehards. It is a small 3 story structure with rooms that you can visit. The property is maintained by the City of Pacific Grove, mostly through volunteers. There are many knowledgeable docents who give the most accurate history and representation of the lighthouse. There was also a woman lighthouse keeper, Emily Fish, who was the keeper of the light for more than 18years. You go, Emily! A treasure to be revered! Any and all donations go solely to the preservation and renovation of this fantastic lighthouse! reduce reuse recycle and most importantly RESTORE also super close to the Monarch Butterfly Reserve. Fabulous things of PG, butterflies, deer, ocean beachfront views... read more

As we headed back to Carmel & the 17 Mile Drive from our afternoon at Monterey, we stopped by the Point Pinos Lighthouse to check it out. The BF was really fascinated by it and asked to stop by. I agreed and we managed to stop by during the lighthouse's limited open hours (check ahead of time!!!) to check it out. It's the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast and the lady who was in charge of the lighthouse was a fascinating person. One of the first females in charge of a lighthouse, she would bang a bell for hours whenever the light wasn't working. We got to look at the entire house and downstairs, there was a volunteer explaining everything from the horn to the light to the history. A great place to check out for an hour. Now I'm contemplating a California Lighthouse tour just to see all the open ones! Added bonus, NO STAIRS TO CLIMB to get here! Score! read more

We were looking around for more tide pools for the kids to wonder into when there was the Point Pinos Lighthouse near Asilomar beach and the head of the 17 mile drive. "Oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast" an unlike some of the others, does not require and hike and 300 stairs. The docent on the day we visited had lived in the lighthouse back in the 50s when her husband was in the coast guard. Rooms are furnished circa WWII time frame. My son asked what items where on the desk in the room where the coast guard watched out for invaders. I said "that is a type writer" he promptly replied "it has a key board just like the computer" These kids today...... Free (donations welcome) and totally worth the stop if you need to remember what a dial telephone looks like. read more

First of all this lighthouse is only opened Thur - Mon. from 1PM to 4PM Closed Tue - Wen This lighthouse is not as isolated as some of the other lighthouses we've paid a visit to. But we still found it to be an interesting visit. I think if you're a fan of lighthouses you'll find it interesting as well. I don't get the feeling their are a lot of tourist here so I imagine parking is adequate There were several volunteers who work here who who seemed happy to engage us and tell us what they knew about the lighthouse. It wasn't exactly a guided tour but they did their best and were happy to answer any questions to the best of their ability. There is a small gift shop here if you want to big up a few souvenirs. read more

Pretty nice lighthouse which is certainly alot better to see than wasting a whole day on 17-mile drive. The docent gives a great talk about Fresnel lens and fog horns at the basement of this lighthouse. The museum inside ask for donations so feel free to give what you like. You cannot go all the way to the top but there are some windows you can see through some of the rooms for ocean view. A bit obstructed since it is a display of old furniture which cannot be disturbed. Still operational so support your lighthouses:) read more

The history here is worth knowing! It's a quiet and quaint little place that has stood its ground for decades. If history is your thing stop in, bring a dollar or two to leave a donation. Go at dusk and you can see the light still signaling. read more

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This is a cute little lighthouse and, for the price, well worth stopping and spending an hour or two. The docents are hilarious and extremely informative. The one docent that was born and raise in Brooklyn is a hoot! Ask her about 17 Mile Drive and how she came to the Monterey area. You'll thank me later! The view from up top is gorgeous! The grounds are impeccable. The gift shop is small and leaves much to be desired. I love gift shops so it was a little disappointing for me. read more

Very beautiful. Loved this cute little lighthouse on the hill from the ocean. Totally worth the drive. I can't wait to go back.

This was a great piece of Americana. It's the oldest working lighthouse on the West Coast. The lens dates back to the mid-1800's. It's very well preserved and is now maintained by the Coast Guard. It's a fun stop in Monterey and a peek into the past. read more

Point Pinos Lighthouse - The original visitors sign. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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I've had the worse luck getting into this lighthouse. Every time I'm in the area the darn thing is closed. No matter I manage to get some good pics of it. read more

Great little light house hidden in Pacific Grove. Bigger than it appears from the outside. I've been driving by this lighthouse for years and never bothered to stop by and take a self guided tour. Great history and wonderful views. Go down to the cellar to get some great history about the lighthouse. read more

Point Pinos Lighthouse - Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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A cute lighthouse set just up the hill from the ocean. The staff was very friendly and knowledgable. The house was in great order and it was cool to go up the stairs to the second floor and experience the view of the coast. There were lots of great historical stories and experiences that captured the day-to-day life back in the 1900's. The basement was the best part. That's where you really got to see how the light reflects to the ships. It's almost like a physics lab. You can't go up to the 3rd floor where the light is actually housed but the rest of the building is wonderful. There isn't much on the outside of the house of historical nature (a golf course is on 2 sides) but if you like history, this is a great stop. ($2 strongly recommended donation per person) read more

Point Pinos is the longest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. It started operation February 1, 1855. It's open to the public Thursday through Monday from 1-4PM. Admission is now $4 for adults. It's volunteer run and receives no government funding. The exterior was painted last year and looks really spiffy. Windblown Monterey Cypresses frame the property. The house itself is very attractive, the light w/ its third order Fresnel lens sitting in its distinctive tower atop the house. It's easily accessible, parking is free and it's well worth a visit while you're in the area. Alan and I visited the lighthouse before, maybe 15 or 20 years ago, maybe longer. Then as now it was staffed by volunteers eager to share their knowledge. Tours can be self guided or docent led. There is a lot of historical information on placards inside the house. There is normally access to the basement, but it was chained off today. There are pallets of bricks outside along w/ lumber and I overheard one of the volunteers telling a couple that the floor will be replaced. The house is furnished w/ period furniture and there are antique dishes and utensils on the kitchen counters. A cistern can be viewed beneath the house through a plexiglass window in the floor off the parlor. We didn't climb the stairs to the light itself because of mobility/safety concerns. Thanks to Lynn R. for posting this blog post about the lighthouse history w/ photos: https://www.seemonterey.com/blog/post/point-pinos-lighthouse-the-guiding-light-since-1855/#sm.01bmust0110mfdu10pt1d0icg7m34 I'm sharing it in case you want more information than I have given. Outside in the back are clean, functional restrooms and a gift shop staffed by a volunteer. Sometimes migrating whales can be seen from the grounds, but not today, as the fog had started to roll in. read more

This was definitely a lot of fun. It was pretty cool getting pretty close to the actual light. The volunteers were very knowledgeable.

If you ever find yourself idle on the Monterey Peninsula, after visiting the Aquarium, say, the lighthouse is a welcome experience- it won't strain your wallet and it's a beautiful locale with no shortage of fascinating history. read more

This lighthouse and grounds are the perfect example of what life was like for a lighthouse keeper. The volunteers here know so much history of the area and of the light keepers and were so friendly. You can walk through the house and up into the tower, learn a lot about lighthouses in California, then there is a separate building for restrooms and a little store. There are also things to check out on the grounds. read more

For a nominal donation, quick trip back in local history, with even a film. And how often do you get to do something in the middle of a golf course? Great thing to do with guests/kids. Can be crowded on holiday weekends, but that could be half the fun. Great little gift shop. Tip: there is parking at the end of the driveway. read more

Your new foghorn just woke me up at 6:20 in the morning.... Have contacted the police and several other people have as well. You need to point them towards the ocean.. You just woke up everybody in Monterey new David Avenue.. I'm 72 years old and I need my sleep..... What the is wrong with you :-( :-( :-( read more

Amazing! Nice little bit of history, and the views are awesome. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Nice little place to come back to every time your in town. read more

Thanks for the worst Father's Day breakfast. So bad and the server gave zero f***s! We had to refill our own water and coffee for our family 3 times. We are PG locals and love supporting local resteraunts but not for places that make you feel like you absolutely do NOT MATTER. WASTED MONEY. There was a nice kid with a tattoo of a red kiss that was super sweet but he gave us our coffee with his hands over the lip of the mug. Dirty germlike stuff right there. Damn! Just pretend like you care about your job. read more

I LOVED THIS EXPERIENCE !! Not only was it free but the tour guide was a sweet lady with plenty of historical information on this property . It is very small on the inside so be prepared to sweat or wait . Not a good place for a big group or people who are claustrophobic . Only come during the business hours or get prepared to be yelled at by the old blonde lady =D read more

I would totally recommend this place! Very interesting in every kind of way and the staff y so nice and Willing to give you a great tour around! read more

What a wonderful place to visit! The museum at Point Pinos Lighthouse is definitely a hidden treasure in Pacific Grove. The location is beautiful, the lighthouse is charming, and the volunteers are more than helpful when greeting visitors and answering questions. The Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. That's a lot of history and information! The volunteers share stories about the lighthouse keepers (many were women) and about the importance of the lighthouse to Monterey Bay (both historical and current). They're happy to tell you "how it worked" and "how it works now". Actually seeing the Fresnel lens is absolutely amazing. We think anyone visiting the Monterey Bay area would enjoy a visit to the this special, historical place. read more

This was a neat, cheap place to see if you are in Monterey. It's about 5 minutes from Cannery Row. It doesn't take long to walk through the lighthouse too. We went on a Saturday afternoon and there weren't a lot of people. Park in front of the lighthouse or on the street. They ask for donations. It cost $2 for adults and $1 for kids. Under 6 is free. Check the times on the website. They are only open a couple hours. They also have a little gift shop. read more

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awesome place, easy to access, beautiful grounds. the lighthouse itself has vintage furniture and very charming inside. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars are the funky hours they keep. definately call ahead on this one. read more

We had a really nice experience visiting the Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove. We went on a Saturday and it was well staffed with docents - at least 3 or 4 inside the lighthouse - who shared great information along the way. Really nice tour for all ages!! Highly recommend! read more

This is a fun place to visit. It's one of those historical sites you wander into, peeking around the corner, unsure whether it's worth the "suggested donation." This one totally is. There are several rooms set up from different time periods, complete with docents, descriptions, and old newspaper clippings. Whether your jam is the 1800s, WW2, or the modern world, you're going to find something interesting here. Be sure not to skip the basement--the docent there was the best, and we learned a ton about the first (female!) lighthouse keeper, and women lighthouse keepers more generally. read more

Great Lighthouse awesome volunteer staff neat and definately worth the time and appreciate a piece of history that continues to stand today

My wife and I had a wonderful experience at Point Pinos this evening! The food was very good, awesome presentation and the atmosphere was perfect! The customer service was excellent! Very friendly and kind! We will be back often! Thank you Melvin, Issac and Dave for a wonderful experience! read more