Lighthouses in Santa Barbara County, CA: 6 Photo Spots

Top 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.