Piedras Blancas Light Station: A Coastal Gem Celebrating 150 Years

Earlier this month, some of our California staff joined Friends Grassroots Network (FGN) partner, the Piedras Blancas Light Station Association, to celebrate the Piedras Blancas Light Station's 150th anniversary!

CLF California Program Director Elyane Stefanick with
Piedras Blancas Light Station Association's Board Chair David Cooper

Standing sentinel on California's rugged coastline along scenic Highway One, this historic lighthouse first illuminated the coastline in 1875. The lighthouse is nestled within the Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area, a distinctive unit managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Conservation Lands system, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Named for the distinctive white rocks ("piedras blancas" in Spanish) that dot the offshore waters, the area represents a harmonious blend of history and natural splendor.

The land surrounding the lighthouse holds deep significance for the Salinan culture in the region. Before the lighthouse, the Salinan people knew this sacred headland as Tewe.

Today, the 19-acre property serves as both a historic park and wildlife sanctuary under Bureau of Land Management stewardship. Visitors can observe seabirds, sea lions, and elephant seals along the shoreline, while the surrounding landscape flourishes with over 70 native plant species.

The preservation of this coastal treasure wouldn't be possible without the dedicated efforts of FGN member Piedras Blancas Light Station Association, a nonprofit organization celebrating its own milestone—20 years as an organization committed to supporting the BLM in its management, restoration, and conservation of this iconic historic facility and the phenomenal, sacred Pacific headland upon which it sits.

Last year, the Association allocated nearly a quarter million dollars toward its mission of ensuring Piedras Blancas remains a treasured unit of the California Coastal National Monument and National Conservation Lands system.

The Association exemplifies the crucial role Friends Groups play across America's public lands.

"In times such as we face today, Friends Groups can be strong independent voices of support and advocacy on behalf of public lands," said David Cooper, Board Chair of the Piedras Blancas Light Station Association. "Friends Groups bring local influence to all levels of government, from county supervisor meetings to the distant halls of Washington, D.C."

Access to this coastal gem is available through guided tours offered year-round. As we celebrate this dual anniversary, Piedras Blancas continues to beckon visitors seeking a meaningful connection to California's maritime history, abundant wildlife, and natural beauty.

Don't forget to Respect. Connect. Protect by visiting safely and responsibly!

Learn more about Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area here.