Point San Luis Lighthouse
A restored 1889 light station on the Avila headland. The road and trail are closed to the public, so you go by van tour, guided hike or kayak.
Buy this print
- Van tours
- Wednesdays and Saturdays, booked through the Lighthouse Keepers
- Guided hike
- Free, Wed and Sat, 3.75 miles round trip, reserve with PG&E
- Van tickets
- $27 adults, $25 seniors, $20 kids (check current prices)
- Meeting point
- Port San Luis, near Harford Pier
- Drop-in visits
- Not allowed; the road and trail are closed to the public
Point San Luis Lighthouse sits on the headland past Harford Pier, on the western edge of San Luis Obispo Bay. It was built in 1889, after the ship Queen of the Pacific ran aground on its way to the pier, and it worked until 1974. The federal government handed it to the Port San Luis Harbor District in 1992, and a volunteer group, the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, has been restoring it since 1995.
You can't just show up. The road and trail out to the point cross private PG&E land and are closed to the public. That leaves three ways in.
1. Van tour
The Lighthouse Keepers run tours in a 25-passenger van on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Buy tickets on the Lighthouse Keepers tours page. Park at Wild Cherry Canyon, between the Cal Poly Pier and Harford Pier. Tours run rain or shine, and money from tickets goes to restoration. Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for a full refund.
This is the easiest option for kids, older visitors and anyone who doesn't want a steep hike.
2. Pecho Coast Trail docent hike
PG&E runs free guided hikes on the Pecho Coast Trail to the lighthouse every Wednesday and Saturday. Hikes start at 8:45 a.m. at the Fisherman's Memorial (the dolphin statue) at Port San Luis. It's 3.75 miles round trip, with grades up to 45%, loose ground, poison oak and ticks. Wear closed-toe shoes with grip. No pets.
Reserve at PG&E's trails page. Same-day spots are sometimes available if a hike isn't full, but don't count on it. More nearby trails are on our hiking page.
3. Kayak tour
Avila Beach Paddlesports, based at Port San Luis, runs guided kayak trips that land near the point and walk up to the lighthouse. Their Adventure Tour is for ages 13 and up, and their Little Explorers family tour takes kids 7 and up. See our kayak and paddleboard page for details.
Inside the light station
Tours cover the restored light tower, the keeper's residence and the fog signal building. The tower holds a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Docents can tell you about the station's history and the volunteer work that brought it back.
The views run across the whole bay, from Avila to Shell Beach and Pismo. On clear days you can see Port San Luis and Harford Pier below.
Before or after
Get there early and walk Harford Pier, where you can usually hear sea lions under the pier. The Avila Beach Pier is mostly closed for repairs, so Harford is the pier to walk for now. For lunch, there are seafood spots at the base of Harford Pier. See restaurants. For the longer story of the port and lighthouse, read our history of Avila Beach.
Local tips
- Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early for the van; it leaves right on the hour.
- Book the hike about two weeks ahead, since group sizes are capped.
- Bring a layer even on a sunny day. The point catches wind that downtown doesn't.
- Look for sea otters and sea lions from the lighthouse grounds and on the drive past Harford Pier.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Point San Luis Lighthouse?
No. The road is closed to the public. You go on a Lighthouse Keepers van tour, a PG&E docent hike or a guided kayak trip.
How long is the hike to Point San Luis Lighthouse?
The Pecho Coast Trail hike is 3.75 miles round trip, with steep sections.
Is the lighthouse hike free?
Yes. PG&E's docent-led hikes are free, but you need a reservation.
Can you bring a dog to the lighthouse?
Dogs are not allowed on the Pecho Coast Trail.
Do lighthouse tours run in the rain?
The van tours run rain or shine.
