Piedras Blancas
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Point Piedras Blancas is located just north of Hearst Castle on
California's Central Coast.
As Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed along this coast in 1542, he
gave the point its name on account of the large white rocks located
just offshore.
California's Central Coast.
As Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed along this coast in 1542, he
gave the point its name on account of the large white rocks located
just offshore.
In 2004, California State Parks acquired 959 acres and 13 miles of coastline
from San Simeon State Park to San Carpoforo as part of the historic $95 million
Hearst Ranch Conservation deal.
from San Simeon State Park to San Carpoforo as part of the historic $95 million
Hearst Ranch Conservation deal.
This fresnel lens was installed on the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse in 1875. It
was removed from the lighthouse in 1949 and was replaced by an automated
aero-beacon. Nearly destroyed, local groups stepped in to save it.
As one of the largest first order fresnel lenses in existence, it would bring in an
appraisal value of around $2 million. The United States Coast Guard transported
the lens to Monterey for refurbishment in 1992 and then returned it to Cambria
where it stands on the Pinedorado grounds, facing Main Street. The Friends of
The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Lens is a nonprofit organization created to
preserve this treasure.
was removed from the lighthouse in 1949 and was replaced by an automated
aero-beacon. Nearly destroyed, local groups stepped in to save it.
As one of the largest first order fresnel lenses in existence, it would bring in an
appraisal value of around $2 million. The United States Coast Guard transported
the lens to Monterey for refurbishment in 1992 and then returned it to Cambria
where it stands on the Pinedorado grounds, facing Main Street. The Friends of
The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Lens is a nonprofit organization created to
preserve this treasure.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| HOME - EVENTS - SHOPPING - LINKS - CONTACT US |
In the early 1870's, this location was chosen to serve as a light
station to fill the gap between the lighthouses at Point Conception
and Point Sur. The 115 foot tall Piedras Blancas Lighthouse was
completed in 1875, and housed a first-order Fresnel lens. A fog
signal building and additional keeper's dwelling were added in
1906.
Today, the lighthouse, fog signal building, and the fuel/oil house
are all on the National Register of Historic Places and the site is
listed as a Historic District. Each month, on the third Saturday, the
light station is open for tours of the 18-acre site. Tour info. In
Cambria, the glass encased Piedras Blancas Lighthouse lens
still stands.
station to fill the gap between the lighthouses at Point Conception
and Point Sur. The 115 foot tall Piedras Blancas Lighthouse was
completed in 1875, and housed a first-order Fresnel lens. A fog
signal building and additional keeper's dwelling were added in
1906.
Today, the lighthouse, fog signal building, and the fuel/oil house
are all on the National Register of Historic Places and the site is
listed as a Historic District. Each month, on the third Saturday, the
light station is open for tours of the 18-acre site. Tour info. In
Cambria, the glass encased Piedras Blancas Lighthouse lens
still stands.
Piedras Blancas is also the site of a large elephant
seal rookery. Every year, a few thousand rare and
endangered Northern Elephant Seals haul out on
these beaches to rest, breed and give birth.
We shot this video in September, 2007.
seal rookery. Every year, a few thousand rare and
endangered Northern Elephant Seals haul out on
these beaches to rest, breed and give birth.
We shot this video in September, 2007.
Piedras Blancas Light Station tours led by costumed docents are given on the third Saturday
of every month. Visitors get on a State Parks bus at the Hearst Castle parking lot. Make reservations from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. at 927-6811. Cost is $15 for adults; children 15 and younger are admitted free.
Volunteers are also needed to do everything from guiding tours to pulling weeds. To sign up, call Site Manager
Jim Boucher at (805) 927-2968, or e-mail jboucher@ca.blm.gov or volunteer coordinator Carole Adams at
pcadams71@sbcglobal.net. The Piedras Blancas Light Station Association can be contacted at (805) 927-3719,
at P.O. Box 127, San Simeon CA 93452, or at www.piedrasblancas.gov.
of every month. Visitors get on a State Parks bus at the Hearst Castle parking lot. Make reservations from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. at 927-6811. Cost is $15 for adults; children 15 and younger are admitted free.
Volunteers are also needed to do everything from guiding tours to pulling weeds. To sign up, call Site Manager
Jim Boucher at (805) 927-2968, or e-mail jboucher@ca.blm.gov or volunteer coordinator Carole Adams at
pcadams71@sbcglobal.net. The Piedras Blancas Light Station Association can be contacted at (805) 927-3719,
at P.O. Box 127, San Simeon CA 93452, or at www.piedrasblancas.gov.