Point Bonita Light Station
Why it's listed
Point Bonita Light Station sits on narrow ledges blasted from rock at the tip of a promontory marking the northern entrance to San Francisco Bay. Established in 1855 after the Gold Rush filled the bay with shipping, the first lighthouse was built high on the hill but proved too high to be seen under the low fogs. In 1877 its iron tower and second-order Fresnel lens were moved to a new brick base at the water's edge, creating a hybrid design unique among California lighthouses. A brick fog-signal building followed in 1903, with decorative arched brickwork and fluted woodwork unusual for such structures. A 118-foot tunnel cut in 1876 and a 1954 pedestrian suspension bridge provide access. The station was automated in 1980, the last in California, and passed to the National Park Service in 1981. It was listed for its role in California maritime transportation and for its distinctive architecture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · catalog entry. Generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29).
| Period of significance | 1855-1940 |
|---|---|
| Styles | Other: lighthouse |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Acreage | 14 |
| Boundary source | NPS cultural-resource GIS polygon |
| Full listing page | Point Bonita Light Station (property record) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.