Point Bonita Lighthouse - Golden Gate National Recreation Area

We visited the Point Bonita Lighthouse during Labor Day weekend of 2013.  The lighthouse was originally built 1855 at an elevation of 306 feet, but was moved to its current location at only 124 feet in 1877 due to high fog obscuring the light.  The lighthouse is still in operation and can only be reached by traversing a hand dug 118 foot long hard rock tunnel and then crossing a suspension bridge that was rebuilt in 2012.  

Parking at the lighthouse trail head is very limited.  We had to park in an overflow gravel lot about 1500 feet away.  A gravel walkway leads up to the actual path to the lighthouse.  The trail to the lighthouse is another 0.5 miles.  Because it is still an working lighthouse operated by the US Coast Guard, visiting hours are limited to Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  A park service volunteer at the foot of the suspension bridge serves as a gatekeeper to limit crowds at the lighthouse.

Newly constructed parking area

From the parking area, we saw this boat sailing through the mist

Due to the fog, the tunnel is barely visible from the trailhead

Harbor seals on the rocks

The first trail bridge spans a saddle in the rock and provides views to the west...

...and views to the east

After the first bridge, the trail follows the cliff edge more closely

The second bridge is a short span leading to the tunnel

A sturdy fence keeps visitors on the hard-packed dirt trail

From the third bridge, the lighthouse is still hidden

Waves crash ashore twelve stories below

Suspension bridge and lighthouse

Point Bonita Lighthouse

Tenacious vegetation

Seastacks on the west side of the point

The 2012 suspension bridge

Waves crash against the rocky point

To reduce cost, landward sections of the second order Fresnel lens were not purchased

Waves sculpt the rocks

The ocean continues to erode the point

Returning from the lighthouse provides a view of the third bridge

South entrance to the tunnel

Remains of the pier at the former life-saving station

Except for visiting Alcatraz Island or Muir Woods National Monument, there is no fee to enter the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  The entrance fee for Muir Woods is $7.00.  Fees at Alcatraz vary depending on the tour package.  Another option for entering Muir Woods is the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.  This pass is valid for one year for $80.  A lifetime National Park Senior Pass is available for $10 for those 62 years of age or older.  

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/goga/index.htm.  The lighthouse page is http://www.nps.gov/goga/pobo.htm.