Stay Overnight at a Historic Northern California Lighthouse
There are so many great adventures to be had in Northern California, but there may be none as relaxing and beautiful as staying the night at a historic lighthouse along the Pacific Ocean.
The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse may fly under the radar compared to other NorCal destinations, but it perfectly combines a historic experience with beautiful outdoor activities along the Mendocino coast. As part of the Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park, there are plenty of hiking trails along with tours of the active lighthouse and conjoining museums.
And guess what? You can also stay the night on the premises.
The state park offers vacation rental homes onsite including the Head Lightkeeper’s House, the 2nd Assistant Lightkeeper’s House and two small cottages. The Lightkeeper Houses were built in 1909, but have been beautifully restored to offer a relaxing stay in a historic setting. Not only do each of the rental homes sit next to all the historic activities and museums of the state park, it sits right in the middle of 300 acres of oceanside Natural Preserve.
The state park also includes four museums that tell the story of the area from the Pomo Indians, the wreck of the Clipper Ship Frolic, through the construction and reconstruction of the lighthouse.
Along with the historic opportunities, the outdoor activities are endless at Point Cabrillo. Visitors can view the marine wildlife just off the coast, with frequent views of harbor seals and sea lions, along with gray whale sightings during the whale migration period between October and April. The area is also home to numerous hiking trails through coastal prairie and coastal bluff habitats, including Frolic Cove which is the site of the 1850 wreck of the clipper brig Frolic.
The vacation home rentals are managed by Mendocino Coast Reservations, which can be reached by phone at 1 (800) 262-7801. Call them or email mcr@mendocinovacations.com to make your reservation. For more information on the Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park, go here.
