Pigeon Point Light Station State Park Web Site
Docent/Keepers Needed
Volunteers are needed to become interpretive docents at one of the tallest light houses on the West Coast. They will provide historical, technical, and natural history information to visitors, lead interpretive walks and tours, and help staff the Keepers Bookstore. Volunteers should commit to a minimum of one day per month. They will receive training and team up with an experienced docent mentor after their training has been completed.
If you are interested in volunteering, call Ranger Rose Blackburn at (650) 726-8804 Ext. 4 or fill out the Volunteer Application and mail to:
San Mateo Coast Natural
History Association
c/o Año Nuevo State Reserve
New Year's Creek Road
Pescadero, CA 94060
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
Pigeon Point Light Station is one of the newest additions to the California State Parks on the San Mateo Coast. The San Mateo Coast Natural History Association operates the Keepers Bookstore, sponsors the annual Anniversary Lighting of the First Order Fresnel Lens, provides support for over 35 Light House Docent/Keepers, and is helping to raise funds for the restoration of the Light House.
Light House Restoration
The California State Parks Foundation is raising funds for the restoration of the light house. You can help by making a donation to the special Light House Restoration Fund. All donations are tax deductible.
Pigeon Point Light Station
Map to Pigeon Point Light Station:
Programs/Special Events
Pigeon Point Light Station Docents and Keepers Bookstore
SMCNHA provides support for over 35 docents who present the natural and social history of Pigeon Point every Friday through Sunday. Docent/Keepers receive training on the history of the Light Station, the cultural background of the area, and the natural history of Pigeon Point and its surroundings. 
SMCNHA also operates the Keepers Store with volunteer Docent/Keepers every Friday through Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm. The store sells educational books, posters, games, stuffed animals, keepsakes, and apparel that directly relates to the Light Station, its history, flora and fauna. All proceeds go directly to support SMCNHA's programs in the State Parks on the San Mateo Coast.
Pigeon Point Anniversary Lighting
2006 Anniversary Lighting of the 1st Order Fresnel Lens
SMCNHA funds and supports the annual lighting of the 1st Order Fresnel lens on the anniversary of the Light House. The Anniversary event occurs on the Saturday closest to the November 15, 1872 anniversary date and lasts all day.
This year the celebration will be held on November 17th. It culminates in the lighting of the Fresnel Lens which lasts from 6 pm until 8 pm. The lighting is highly anticipated and last year was attended by over 4,000 visitors. Visitors are advised to be at the Light Station by at least 3 pm as parking is limited. Click on the printable flyer for a schedule of this year's activities.
Whale Watch
SMCNHA supports the annual Whale Watch that occurs from mid-March through the end of May. During this time period over 18,000 Gray Whales pass Pigeon Point during their annual migration from the protected lagoons of Baja California to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. This display of nature is particularly enhanced by the extreme close proximity with which the whales pass Pigeon Point. Whales can come as close as 15 yards and can number in the hundreds in a single day.
During the Whale Watch, docents provide additional information through the use of special interactive displays on the Point. Docents also assist visitors in identifying characteristics of Gray Whales at a distance. For more information on Gray Whales and their migration see the Links Page.
Fog Signal Building Displays
In August of 2007, SMCNHA assisted in funding new interpretive displays that were installed in the Fog Signal Building. These include a cutaway model of the Light House Tower, interpretive panels on the history of indigenous people, whaling, shipwrecks, lighthouse keepers and families, and an interactive display on the four different fog signals used at Pigeon Point over its history.
The grand opening for the new Fog Signal Building Display will be celebrated during the November 17th Annual Lighting, with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 4 p.m.
