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The United States Lighthouse Society is a nonprofit historical and educational organization dedicated to saving and sharing the rich maritime legacy of American lighthouses and supporting lighthouse preservation throughout the nation.

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2024 northern california, thomas point shoal, lighthouse tours/cruises, 2023 schedule is here, lighthouse lodging, view our accommodations list.

Have you ever wanted to stay at a lighthouse?  This is the most comprehensive list of locations across the U.S. that offer a variety of experiences. 

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Author Theresa Levitt: "The Fresnel Lens and the Notion of a Public Good."

National Lighthouse Day - Dance Contest Winners!

 In recognition of National Lighthouse Day 2023, the U.S. Lighthouse Society held its first-ever nationwide dance contest.

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Articles From The Keeper's Log Available

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Lighthouse Podcast

Light Hearted episode 247 – The Twin Lights of Thacher Island, Massachusetts

The original twin lighthouses built on Thacher Island, Massachusetts, in 1771 were the first built to mark a dangerous spot rather than a harbor entrance, and they were also the last lighthouses built under British rule in the colonies. The two granite towers that stand today, 124 feet tall, were built in 1861 and fitted with first-order Fresnel lenses. The north light was deactivated in 1932. The Town of Rockport's Thacher Island Committee in partnership with the nonprofit Thacher Island Association maintains and operates the island, including both lighthouse towers. This episode includes historic audio recorded in the 1980s, as well as audio from a recent visit to the island with co-host Sarah MacHugh. Sarah spoke with Syd Wedmore, chairman of the Thacher Island Town Committee.

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2024 Northern California

A fabulous trip up the north coast of california.  don't miss this one from san francisco to crescent city.  .

We will start our tour with two (2) nights at the Embassy Suites, 150 Anza Blvd. Burlingame, CA with dinner at the hotel. On this tour, we will visit Alcatraz Island for tour of the lighthouse and prison, see the Farallon Island lens at San Francisco Maritime Museum, take a half day cruise of San Francisco Bay passing by Point Knox, Point Blunt, Alcatraz, Fort Point, Point Diablo, Point Bonita, Lime Point (fog Signal Station –Ruins) Yerba Buena Island and East Brother Island with Lunch on board. Dinner at Quinn’s Lighthouse Restaurant & Pub to see Oakland Harbor Lighthouse. We will climb Point Bonita, Point Reyes, Point Arena, Point Cabrillo, Cape Mendocino, Trinidad Head and Battery Point Lighthouses. We will Walk thru Chandelier Drive Thru tree and take photos of Table Bluff and Fort Point Lighthouses and Lightship Relief LV 605. Helicopter flights to St. George Reef Lighthouse and visit Del Norte County Museum, Trinidad Museum to see Trinidad lens and Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum to see Fresnel Lens from Table Bluff Lighthouse.  A tour filled with unique visits to these lighthouses.  Don't miss it.

UPDATED: July 6, 2024

Tour Leaders: Kelly Bowers, Mike Rosenberger

210 – 180 days prior to departure $150.00 processing fee will be charged  179 – 150 days prior to departure Deposits become non-refundable  149 – 90 days prior to departure 25% of tour price becomes non-refundable  89 – 60 days prior to departure 50% of tour price becomes non-refundable  59 - 1 days prior to departure 100% of tour price becomes non-refundable 

NOTE: Trip Insurance is now required or a signed waiver on file at the USLHS headquarters.

NOTE: Due to the dynamic and fluctuating world financial markets, the price per person quoted on this tour is an approximation.  The actual cost may change after all of the tour elements have been negotiated and finalized.  

Lighthouses

• Alcatraz Island
• Point Bonita
• East Brother
• Yerba Buena Island
• Point Reyes
• Point Arena
• Point Cabrillo
• Cape Mendocino
• Table Bluff
• Trinidad Head
• Saint George Reef
• Pelican Bay
• Battery Point
• Point Blunt
• Point Diablo
• Oakland Harbor

Day 1 - Saturday, August 24, 2024               Arrive at San Francisco and check into Embassy Suites (Night 1 of 2)        1800 - Welcome Dinner at hotel

Day 2 - Sunday, August 25, 2024        After Breakfast we will catch the ferry to Alcatraz Island (15 minutes crossing). We will tour the island and climb the Alcatraz Lighthouse .  Back to the San Francisco Pier Ferry arrives Pier 33 and walk to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch on your own.  Then we will meet at the San Francisco Maritime National Park Visitor Center in the afternoon.  From there we will go to Fort Point Lighthouse at Fort Point National Historic Site.  We will board the bus to travel to the Lightship Relief LV at Jack London Square.  Next we will travel to Oakland Harbor/Quinn Lighthouse for dinner.  Then back to the hotel. Night 2 Day 3 - Monday, August 26, 2024         Depart for South Beach Harbor Pier 40 San Francisco, CA 94107 Compass Rose for half day cruise of San Francisco Bay where we will pass by the following lighthouses: Alcatraz, Fort Point, Mile Rock, Point Bonita, Lime Point (fog Signal Station –Ruins) East Brother Island and Yerba Buena Island.   Lunch will be on board. When we arrive back at Pier 40 we will board the bus and go to Point Bonita Lighthouse.  From there we will have a distant view of Miles Rock Lighthouse. We will stay at Bodega Bay that night and dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 - Tuesday, August 27, 2024        We check out of the hotel and go to Point Arena Lighthouse .  We pick up a box lunch at Arena Market and Cafe.  We will continue to Point Cabrillo Lighthouse for a tour. We then travel to a hotel at Fort Bragg and dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5 - Wednesday, August 28, 2024        After breakfast we will visit the Chandelier Drive Thru tree in Leggett.  After a stop for lunch we will travel to Cape Mendocino Lighthouse. Next is the hotel for the night and dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6 - Thursday, August 29, 2024     On this day we will visit Table Bluff Lighthouse in Woodley Island Marina and Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum to see the Fresnel Lens from Table Bluff Lighthouse.  Next is the Trinidad Lighthouse and a visit at the Trinidad Museum after lunch.  Then on to Crescent City hotel.     

Day 7 - Friday, August 30, 2024       After breakfast we will depart for Pelican Bay Lighthouse , Port of Bookings, OR.  We will stop at Tidewind Sport Fishing for the Lighthouse Passport collectors to get a stamp.  Our next stop is Del Norte County Historical Society Museum.  Another stop for Lighthouse Passport collectors to get a stamp at Del Norte County Chambers of Commerce.  We will get off the bus in Crescent City and you will have time to explore and have lunch on your own.  Later in the day we will walk from the hotel to Battery Point Lighthouse (tide dependent).  Then you will have more time on your own to explore the city and have dinner on your own.  

Day 8 - Saturday, August 31, 2024          We will spend most of this day flying to Saint   George Reef Lighthouse in groups. Box lunch will be provided.  We will check out of the hotel in Crescent City and head for a hotel further south to prepare for the next day lighthouses.

Day 9 - Sunday, September 1, 2024       After breakfast we will head south, picking up a box lunch on the way.  In the afternoon we will arrive at Point Reyes Lighthouse for the long ride and walk to the lighthouse.  After this adventure we will have a long bus ride back to San Francisco hotel for the Farewell Dinner.

Day 10 - Monday, September 2, 2024              Breakfast and flights home.

What's Included:

9 Nights of Lodging 9 Breakfasts 6 Lunches 7 Dinners

Want more details?

Contact Headquarters: (415)362-7255 or [email protected]

and encourage them to come along!

Download a Tour Registration Form (PDF). Complete and mail your check to USLHS, 9005 Point No Point Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340.