Point Vicente Lighthouse Celebrates 100 Years

Point Vicente Lighthouse in Rancho Palos Verdes celebrates its 100th anniversary this month with special events, tours, and exhibitions. The historic landmark, visible from Torrance beaches, has guided ships along the California coast since 1926 and remains an active aid to navigation today.

The centennial celebration includes guided tours of the lighthouse tower, exhibitions at the interpretive center, and special presentations about the station's history. Visitors can learn about the United States Lighthouse Service, which maintained the beacon until automation in the 1970s, and view artifacts from the keepers who lived on-site.

The lighthouse also played a role in World War II as a military lookout post. Exhibits detail how the strategic location was used for coastal defense during the war years. Today, the point remains one of California's premier whale watching locations, with gray whales passing by during their winter and spring migration.

Special centennial events continue through April. The interpretive center offers educational programs about coastal ecology and the cultural history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.