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Lighthouses in City and County of San Francisco, California

11 lighthouses in City and County of San Francisco. Every location page has sunrise and sunset azimuths, a monthly golden hour table, Milky Way windows and nearby spots.

Top lighthouses

Alcatraz Island LightLighthouse
Alcatraz Island LightCity and County of San Francisco
Farallon Island LightLighthouse
Farallon Island LightCity and County of San Francisco
Mile Rocks LightLighthouse
Mile Rocks LightCity and County of San Francisco
Yerba Buena LightLighthouse
Yerba Buena LightCity and County of San Francisco
Point Diablo LightLighthouse
Point Diablo LightCity and County of San Francisco
Fort Point Light, San FranciscoLighthouse
Fort Point Light, San FranciscoCity and County of San Francisco
Point Blunt LightLighthouse
Point Blunt LightCity and County of San Francisco
Southampton Shoal LightLighthouse
Southampton Shoal LightCity and County of San Francisco
Point Stuart LightLighthouse
Point Stuart LightCity and County of San Francisco
Lighthouse
21 - Alcatraz LighthouseCity and County of San Francisco
Lighthouse
Fort Point Lighthouse (historical)City and County of San Francisco

Map

How to photograph lighthouses

Lighthouses work at both ends of the day: blue hour when the beacon is lit, and golden hour when white towers take on warm tones.

  • During blue hour, use 5–15 second exposures to capture the beam; check whether the light is still active.
  • Shoot from the beach or a jetty to place the tower against open sky and sea.
  • Stormy weather and crashing surf add drama; keep a safe distance from waves on rocks and piers.
  • A telephoto from across a bay compresses the tower against cliffs or the moon.
  • Many lighthouses are on private or Coast Guard property — check public access and opening hours.

Season: Summer brings open towers and tours; autumn and winter offer storms, fewer crowds and lower sun angles.