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Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove
Point Pinos Lighthouse, located In Pacific Grove, is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast of the United States. In 1855, it was the second lighthouse built in California. Alcatraz Island Lighthouse had been built 8 months previously, but in 1909 was replaced by the famous prison. Point Pinos was built atop a quaint house enabling keepers to tend the light without fearing the elements. Point Pinos Lighthouse uses a Fresnel lens manufactured in France in 1853. The beacon is still used by the Coast Guard to aid navigation and the city of Pacific Grove maintains the property. While it began as just a narrow light beam fueled by whale oil, in 1912 it used an “eclipse” that made the light blink on for 10 seconds and off for 20 seconds. Today, the light is electronic and is on for three seconds and off for one, which helps mariners identify it. Point Pinos stands 43 feet tall, approximately 90 feet above the ocean, and its lens can be seen 17 miles out to sea.
History
Point Pinos Lighthouse has had many keepers, but perhaps the most interesting was Emily Fish. Emily Fish’s sister died in childbirth, and at age 17, Emily married her dead sister’s husband, Malancthon Fish, and raised her sister’s baby daughter, Juliet. Mr. Fish, a medical doctor, died when Emily was 50 years old. Following his death, Emily applied for the position of lighthouse keeper at the Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, CA. This was considered highly unusual, as most women only received their positions upon the death of their lighthouse keeper husbands. Emily, however, was an anomaly. She bucked the norms and defied gender roles. She would not be foiled in her efforts, proving that no matter how old you are and what society thinks, you should always follow your dreams and aspirations.
She thrived in her position, and for over twenty years, lived and worked at the lighthouse with her menagerie of French poodles, Holstein cows, horses, and chickens. She excelled at gardening and created an oasis of grass, hedges, and trees on the lighthouse grounds. From her home in Oakland, she brought antique furniture, paintings, china, and silverware. Being a lighthouse keeper was no easy chore; rather, it was a difficult and demanding life. Emily, however, excelled at her job, and soon became known as the “Socialite Keeper” because of her flair for style and fashion and her reputation for entertaining guests at the lighthouse. During her keep, Point Pinos Lighthouse consistently received high marks for being well-kept.
While Emily is the most memorable female lighthouse keeper at Point Pinos, she was not the first. The light’s first keeper, Charles Layton, was serving on a posse in pursuit of an outlaw when he was fatally shot the first year he was appointed. His wife Charlotte, left alone with four children, replaced her husband as keeper until 1860 when she was remarried and her new husband took over the position.
If you are planning on visiting the area and would like to tour the lighthouse, please see pointpinoslighthouse for information including directions, hours, and parking. *Photo courtesy of Jay Slupesky, follow him on Instagram @jayslu
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Lovers Point: Legendary Park in Pacific Grove
Featuring panoramic views stretching from Monterey to Pebble Beach, Lovers Point will bewitch you. Located in Pacific Grove, on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, it is merely the icing on the cake. Pacific Grove is called “Butterfly Town, USA” because monarch butterflies return here year after year. It is also known as “America’s Last Hometown” because of the strong community spirit binding together this quaint Victorian town. It is home to the Asilomar Conference Center, Point Pinos Lighthouse, and also hosts the annual Feast of Lanterns. Additionally, it has been the setting for several films, most recently the “Big Little Lies” HBO series.
Lovers Point is a dalliance between land, sea, and sky that never fails to charm. Its natural beauty has been an inspiration for decades. In the 1890s, the area was an artist’s haven. At that time, a movement seeking to create art in outdoor settings in natural light and weather conditions, called en plein air, was the rage. The movement, which started in France, soon swept through Europe and expanded to the United States beginning in California. Today, you may still see plein air artists set up with their easels and paints. 
Lovers Point is a place to experience not only beauty but also adventure. The park consists of 4.4 acres. Sand volleyball, rock climbing, surfing, kayaking, biking, scuba diving, paddle boarding, snorkeling and strolling along the ever-popular waterfront coastal trail are just some of the fun things to do here. The coastal trail stretches for 18 miles, from Castroville in the north to the far tip of Asilomar Beach in the south. It follows the path of the now defunct Southern Pacific Railroad.
Located above a sand volleyball court is one of the last remaining swan boats from Lover’s Point. The swan boats of Pacific Grove were originally introduced in the 1890s to enable visitors to explore the area by sea. The swan boat fleet was owned and operated by Nathanial “Dad” Sprague for more than 50 years. The boats were then operated by a variety of owners until the mid-1970s.
The beach at Lovers Point faces west and has a concrete wall and breakwater, making it one of the few safe swimming places in the area and popular for families and children. Be advised, however, that the water here is very chilly year round.
Lovers Point State Marine Reserve, created in 2007, lies directly offshore Lovers Point Park. It is one of four marine protected areas on the Monterey Penisula. It includes a variety of wondrous flora and fauna including kelp forests, sea otters, harbor seals, pelicans, cormorants and more.
Helpful Tips:
- Numerous benches, BBQ grills and picnic tables are available.
- Fishing is prohibited in the Lovers Point State Marine Reserve.
- Bikes, kayaks, surreys, paddleboards, scuba diving gear, surfboards, and other rentals are available at Lovers Point by Adventures By The Sea.
- Nearby restaurants include The Beach House and The Grill at Lovers Point.
- Public restrooms are available.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
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Top 10 Free Things to Do in Monterey
Planning your visit to the Monterey area but dreading the cost? Need some budget friendly options? While it is true that many things are costly here, there are also tons of super fun activities that are completely free. And what could be better than that? Here is my list of the top ten free things to do in Monterey.
Free Beaches
Bring your beachitude because sand, sun, and water await. Take your pick of beaches: Delmonte, Mcabee, San Carlos, Breakwater Cove, Lovers Point, Asilomar, Carmel, Carmel River, and the list goes on and on. Find treasures in tide pools, build sandcastles, fly a kite, watch surfers, scuba divers, paddle boarders and kayakers, or catch a glimpse of pelicans and harbor seals. You may even spot a dolphin or whale! If you choose Asilomar Beach, you may also want to check out nearby Point Pinos Lighthouse. Located at the corner of Asilomar and Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, the lighthouse is currently closed to visitors, but you can still view it from afar.
The beginning (or end) of the trail at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Free Recreation Trail
Walk, run or bike next to the beauty of the ocean on the fantastic Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. This wide paved trail follows the old abandoned Southern Pacific railroad line and passes by or through all the tourist hot spots including Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf. You will also have many views of and access to several beaches. My favorite part is between Monterey and Seaside, when you pass through a canopy of heavenly scented eucalyptus trees. The trail stretches for 18 miles from Lovers Point to Castroville. Dogs on leash are welcome. For more information, see rec trail.
Free Secret Gardens
Visit the secret gardens scattered throughout old Monterey. Peaceful and serene, these walled gardens are sure to delight, and many have benches where you can sit and read a book, enjoy a picnic, or simply contemplate the beauty around you.
Free Farmer’s Markets
Check out local farmer’s markets. There are Farmer’s Markets every day of the week here! My favorite is the one on Alvarado in old Monterey on Tuesdays. Three blocks are closed off to allow tons of vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, crafts, yummy food and more. For more information, see local farmer’s markets.
Free Picnics
Enjoy a romantic picnic with your love(s). Check out my list of the Ten Best Picnic Spots in the area.
Haunted Hall & Jail
Visit a spooky jail and courthouse where people were hanged outside on the balcony. Built in 1849 in the Greek Revival Style, Colton Hall has a colorful history. It was named after Walter Colton, who was mayor, coroner, judge, and sheriff (in addition to other titles) from 1846-1849. In 1854, a jail was built next to it. It’s said that no one ever escaped from the jail due to its thick granite walls. Those convicted to death were hung by a rope over the balcony on the second floor. While there are thankfully no longer any hangings at Colton Hall, there is a free history museum, located on the second floor. There you can learn about how California became a state here, and see a copy of the original constitution. For more information, see Colton Hall and Old Monterey Jail.
Tool Around Town on a Trolley For Free
Save money on parking, avoid traffic congestion, and escape a potential parking ticket by taking the trolley. Completely free, the MST trolley operates July 3rd through September 6th, 10 am to 6 pm daily. Sites it visits are downtown Monterey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf. For more information including schedule and departure/drop-off sites, see Monterey Trolley.
Clam It Up
Sample scrumptious clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf…for free! There is nothing like the taste of clam chowder here. Perhaps it is the backdrop of the cool ocean breeze, the cacophony of crying seagulls and barking sea lions, and the colorful boats bobbing in the harbor. Whatever makes it taste so good, I don’t know, but Monterey clam chowder is simply magical.
Happiness is a Hike
Drink in all the natural beauty the area has to offer by going for a hike. Check out the twelve best places to hike in Monterey County!
Butterflies Are Free
A must-see, the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is located in nearby Pacific Grove, called PG by locals. Thousands of monarch butterflies overwinter here on the Monterey pines and eucalyptus trees from October through March. This has given PG the moniker “Butterfly Town”. Butterflies are free to fly, and so are you. No wings or cha-things required. For more information, see Sanctuary.
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I hope you enjoyed learning about all the fun things to do in the Monterey area for free. Because the best things in life are indeed free. You may also enjoy Delicious Places to Eat in Monterey on a Budget. Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
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The Quirky Creativity of Pacific Grove, California
Someone really loves butterflies here in Pacific Grove, also known as Butterfly Town. Merriam Webster defines quirky as “unusual in especially an interesting or appealing way”. Synonyms for quirky include bizarre, curious, eclectic, kooky, peculiar, remarkable, and eccentric. In my opinion, every one of these boxes can be checked for Pacific Grove, also known as PG. While most of PG is full of traditional historic homes and businesses, it is the unusual features that often catch my eye. I find these quirky qualities oddly appealing.
Maybe it’s my British genes (aren’t they prone to eccentricity?), or just my appreciation for people who think creatively, but I love turning a corner to find something novel and bizarre. This mosaic wall in PG features such things as a hula doll, an old clock, a hot wheels car, and pearl necklaces in its composition. I love it.
Why have an ordinary garden arbor when you can have a rainbow with Pegasus flying over it? Horace Walpole, an English author, coined the word “serendipity” during the 1700s. Serendipity was used to describe making fortunate discoveries by accident. He based his new word on a fairy tale in which the three princes of Serendip were always making discoveries during their travels by accident. I would certainly call my accidental discoveries serendipitous.
The “Blue Garden” above, was discovered in an abandoned alley. It features morning glories, a windmill on the roof, a mechanical roaring dinosaur, a unicorn balloon, a waterfall fountain, and carnival music, among other things.
What I find so refreshing about Pacific Grove is that people are allowed to be who they are here. Personal expression is embraced. Nobody seems to care if you want to paint your picket fence purple or have dozens of kooky little gnome statues stacked on your porch. It’s truly an accepting culture. Several of my friends live here and they absolutely love it.
Photo courtesy of @thescenicshutter Quirkiness is also found in some of the unique shops here. Tessuti Zoo, located at 171 Forest Avenue, has been described as “the most colorful, zany, eclectic store one may ever shop”.
Photo courtesy of @ca.love.fornia For more information, see Pacific Grove. You may also enjoy my other posts: Butterfly Town: Pacific Grove, Lovers Point: Legendary Park in Pacific Grove, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, The Feast of Lanterns in Pacific Grove, and Picket Fences by the Seaside: Victorian Homes in PG.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas.
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Picket Fences by the Seaside: Victorian Homes in PG
The seaside town of Pacific Grove, California is full of cute Victorian homes with white picket fences. Many of these homes are just steps away from the beach and Lover’s Point.
A view of Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove. What began in 1875 as a summer church camp has proliferated into what is now called “America’s Last Hometown”. It supposedly has more historical houses per capita than anywhere in California.
Pacific Grove, called “PG” by locals, has many interesting shops and restaurants, many located on or near the famous Lighthouse Avenue. I love all the ocean themed street names here. There is even a Mermaid Lane!
An interesting thing about Pacific Grove, or PG, is that it must have some of the tiniest Victorian cottages ever. You will see itsy bitsy identical twin and triplet cottages sitting next to each other. Some of them are so tiny, I can’t imagine even being able to have furniture inside! They remind me of little gingerbread doll houses.
I really love the imaginative colors people have chosen for their Victorian homes here, and the flowers they have planted alongside them.
You may wonder why you see decorative butterflies everywhere here attached to homes, fences and in yards. The reason is that Pacific Grove is also known as “Butterfly Town” due to the thousands of monarch butterflies that overwinter here on the Monterey pines and eucalyptus trees. You can see them at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary from October through March. For more information see butterfly town.
Some of the larger Victorians have been converted into seaside hotels. My favorite is Green Gables Inn which has nothing to do with those famous Lucy Maud Montgomery novels written about one of my favorite characters ever, Anne. There is just something enticing about this beautiful home overlooking Lover’s Point. I remember being smitten with it the first time I visited the area.
The stately Green Gables Inn looks out at the ocean. For more information on Pacific Grove, see my other blog posts, including Lovers Point: Legendary Park in Pacific Grove, Butterfly Town: Pacific Grove, The Feast of Lanterns in Pacific Grove, and Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas.