POINT MONTARA LIGHTHOUSE
Montara, California
Better not be driving too fast along this stretch of Hwy One or you'll drive right past Point Montara LightHouse and Hostel. It's kind of nestled down in some trees, and clustered in with other buildings, a youth hostel, actually. Coming from the south, there is a ridge running parallel to the road that blocks the view of the lighthouse until after you pass the turnoff. Anyway, there is a youth hostel on the premises now and is located just south of the little town of Montara which is just south of Pacifica.
This place has an interesting history as it began with a fog signal in 1875. Not until November 26, 1900, was the point finally marked with its first light , a lantern with a red lens hung on a post. And in 1912, the light was upgraded to a 4th order Fresnel lens mounted on a framework tower. The current, cast iron tower was built in 1928. It sits 30 feet high and shines its light up to 14 miles out to sea. Although the fog can still be quite thick in that area, the fog signal is no longer in service. All that fancy electronic equipment they got these days for even little boats pretty much eliminated the need for fog signals anymore.
It is very nicely kept and should be appearing in a new movie, relative to this writing of course. Bandits with Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton. At least that is what they guy at the gate told me one Saturday when I went there to take some more photos and video. I tried to explain that I did not want either of them in my photographs. I was there for the lighthouse...
As I have never been a guest, I am always conscientious about my presence there. The whole cliffside is covered in ice plant, so there aren't too many vantage points other than the road. A wide angle lens is the best choice for this lighthouse. I use a 17-35 and a 35-70 zoom.
Here's how I saw it:
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OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001