Lighthouse atop Fort Point, San Francisco

Although the iconic notion of a lighthouse is a lonely structure standing straight and tall on the rocks, dashed by the raging sea, lighthouses actually come in many shapes and sizes. Most US lighthouses these days are either completely automated or else they’ve been done away with altogether. I feel quite lucky I’ve been able to visit a few of the lighthouses along the California coast — including Point Loma in San Diego, Point Cabrillo and Point Arena lighthouses in Mendocino County. I’m always drawn to shoot lighthouses, even those I’ve seen many times before. The romance of the lighthouse never quite fades away.

Point Loma Lighthouse

Point Arena

At Wharf Master’s Inn, Point Arena

Point Cabrillo, Mendocino County

Highland Light, Frank Ault, 1929 (deYoung Museum)