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1595 - The first recorded shipwreck on the west coast. When the San Agustin was seeking shelter from a storm it headed to Point Reyes thinking it was an island. Instead of shelter, it crashed in Drakes Bay. 1603 - On Jan 6, while sailing the California coast and gazing at the future home of Point Reyes, Sebastian Vizcaino named the peninsula "Punto de los Reyes" for the Feast of the Three Kings. 1855 - Lighthouse area assigned. Land price war held up construction for 15 years. (14 shipwrecks occurred while land price was in dispute). 1870 - First lit on December 1st 1938 - Electricity came to the tower 1939 - Steps of concrete built into the cliff 1975 - Automated, however, the foghorn, beacon tower, clockwork mechanism and original Fresnel lens were left intact. 2003 - $1.2 million and six months of renovations complete (including reconstruction of the 300 steps). Considered one of the most dangerous as it is experiences the most fog and wind of any station in the US. 40 mph winds are common, records of 133 mph / 2100 hours of fog annually is common. twin of Cape Mendocino. Maintained by the National Park Service and part of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Jan and April whale watching in the annual Alaska-Mexico migration. Basic directions: Hwy 101 to Hwy 1 north. After Olema, turn left on Sir Francis Drake Blvd and follow approx 20 miles (it turns into Lighthouse Rd about 1.5 miles before the parking area). ½ mile walk up the visitor’s center and a steep descent over 300 stairs to the lighthouse. Access restricted when winds exceed 40 mph. It is open all year Thursdays - Mondays 10 am to 4:30pm. Every first and third Saturdays of each month (from April thru Dec) there are special evening illuminations of the lens and reservations are required. Phone: 415-669-1534 Additional Information:
www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=66
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