This stretch of coast shipped huge quantities of timber in small schooners, and rocks and fog claimed many of them. Point Cabrillo Light began shining in 1909 and, unusually, its keepers’ houses survive around it.
A walk across the headland leads to the lighthouse, with its original-style Fresnel lens, and a small museum. In winter and spring, it is one of the best places on the coast to look for passing whales.
What to see at Point Cabrillo Light
See the lens
When the lighthouse is open, volunteers explain how the British-made lens works. Hours vary, so check before you travel.
Walk the headland
Trails loop around the bluffs, past wildflowers in spring and a marine reserve below.
Stay the night
The restored keepers’ houses are rented as vacation accommodation, booked through the light station.
Getting to Point Cabrillo Light
- By car: turn west off Highway 1 onto Point Cabrillo Drive, between Fort Bragg and Mendocino. The drive takes about 15 minutes from Fort Bragg.
- On foot: from the main parking lot it is around half a mile to the lighthouse, with limited accessible parking closer in.
Tips before you go
- Bring binoculars from December to April.
- The headland is windy, even on sunny days.
- Combine it with Mendocino village, just to the south.
Tours to pair with Point Cabrillo Light
GetYourGuide has few products here. These pair well with a visit to Point Cabrillo Light:
Heritage train from $50 Mendocino County: Skunk Train Pudding Creek Train Ride
The easy classic: a short heritage train ride from downtown Fort Bragg along the Pudding Creek estuary and into the redwoods to Glen Blair Junction and back. The right choice with children or limited time.
- About 7 miles round trip along Pudding Creek
- Departs the depot in downtown Fort Bragg
- Listing includes the model railroad museum
Railbike tour from $265 per group Mendocino County: Pudding Creek Railbikes
Ride a small railbike up the old logging line along Pudding Creek, with a long stop among the redwoods at Glen Blair Junction. The price is per bike for up to two. Some reviewers find the riding time short for the price, so go for the setting.
- Pedal the rails through redwood forest
- Crosses wooden trestle bridges
- Layover of about 50 minutes at Glen Blair Junction
