Light Action

Visit the Point San Luis Lighthouse in San Luis Obispo

One of the most historic places on the Central Coast is still a bit of a California secret. Perched high upon windswept bluffs, the Point San Luis Lighthouse is the only remaining Victorian-style lighthouse on the West Coast. And you can’t simply drive up to it in your car. But you can book a van tour or do a guided hike to see the lighthouse, learn about its history, and enjoy beautiful coastal views from Avila Beach to Vandenberg.

Guides are encyclopedias of knowledge about the flora, points of interest, and tales of local lore. Tour inside the lighthouse, staged to look like it did long ago.

For a little paranormal drama, the lighthouse is said to be haunted … dare you go there to see about the Ghost of 1890 San Luis Lighthouse?

BONUS 2024 CONCERT SERIES: Take in a Saturday afternoon above the Pacific with a concert at Point San Luis Lighthouse. The Lighthouse Concert Series goes through October 12, with food and drinks available.

BONUS HIKE: Bag a Morro! For summit views of the Central Coast, hike 4.5 miles (round-trip) to the highest of nine morros (a chain of ancient volcanoes) in San Luis Obispo. Bishop Peak is right across from Cal Poly’s campus and is a SLOcal favorite.

Directions to Bishop Peak: From downtown San Luis Obispo, head north on Santa Rosa St. (Hwy. 1). Turn left onto Highland Dr. and drive about 1 mile to the end of the road, where the trail starts. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

    View
  3. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View