Point Bonita Lighthouse

Point Bonita Lighthouse is located at Point Bonita, at the entrance to San Francisco Bay in the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, California. It holds the distinction of being the last staffed lighthouse on the California coast and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Historical Significance

During the California Gold Rush, more than 300 boats ran aground near the Golden Gate, highlighting the need for a lighthouse. The original Point Bonita Lighthouse was constructed in 1855 as a 56-foot (17 m) brick tower situated 306 feet (93 m) above sea level. However, this elevation proved problematic due to the West Coast's dense high fog, which often obscured the light from view at sea. To resolve this, the lighthouse was relocated in 1877 to its current position at 124 feet (38 m) above sea level. Accessing the new site required carving a 118-foot (36 m) long tunnel through solid rock.

The lighthouse also featured the first fog signal on the West Coast, utilizing a 24-pounder siege gun.

Access and Structural Changes

Initially, the lighthouse was accessible via a trail, but erosion caused the trail to crumble by 1940. A wooden walkway was subsequently installed, followed by a suspension bridge in 1954, making it the only lighthouse in the United States that can be reached solely by a suspension bridge.

This suspension bridge underwent repairs in 1979 and 1991 but eventually succumbed to rust from sea spray. Consequently, the bridge was closed to public access in January 2010. A new bridge, costing over $1 million and made of tropical hardwood with steel suspension cables, opened on April 13, 2012.

Current Status

The United States Coast Guard currently maintains the light and fog signal. The lighthouse is accessible to the public during limited hours (12:30–3:30 p.m.) on Sundays and Mondays, as well as through ranger-led interpretive sunset hikes that require sign-up. Outside these hours, access to the bridge is restricted by a metal door at the tunnel's shore end.

Technological Features

The lighthouse was originally powered by a Fresnel lens, a design developed in 1822. Fresnel lenses are highly efficient, focusing a natural light source into a powerful beam. Unlike open flames, which lose nearly 97% of their light, and even reflectors, which lose 83%, Fresnel lenses only lose 17% of their light. This efficiency allowed ships to see the Point Bonita light up to 18 miles out to sea.

Life at the Lighthouse

The lightkeeper's quarters were adjacent to the lighthouse. Due to the demanding and isolating nature of the work, some lightkeepers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought their families to live with them. For safety, children playing outside were often strapped into harnesses attached to ropes to prevent them from falling off the cliff during strong winds or while chasing a stray ball.

Point Bonita US Life Saving Station

In 1874, the government approved plans for lifesaving stations at the Golden Gate entrance. However, construction on the Point Bonita US Life Saving Station didn't begin until 1899. The station included a residence, cisterns, fire and storage sheds, a garage, and sidewalks. The construction faced delays due to rough swells and difficult terrain, and an accident during the project resulted in the contractor's foot being crushed.

The lifesaving station operated with two boats: a heavy lifeboat for navigating the rocky coast's dangerous conditions and a lighter surfboat launched through the surf. Typically, eight to ten men manned the station, operated by the Coast Guard. Their motto was reportedly, "You must go out, but you don't have to return," reflecting the perilous nature of their duties.