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Saturday, July 29 - Gates open 8 p.m., Tour around 8:30 p.m.



Come experience a spectacular night time view . . .

. . . from atop the Point Arena Lighthouse. Enjoy a panoramic view of the sea and coast from the lantern room at the top of the Tower, and if the weather cooperates it will be illuminated by the full moon! Our docents and guides will help you experience what it was like to be a Lighthouse Keeper and climb the Tower at night. They will guide you on your journey into the past and explain the unique history of this historic landmark, the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast. Champagne, sparkling juice and sweet and savory snacks will be served as part of the tour, and you get to take home an etched Point Arena Lighthouse champagne flute as a souvenir of this unique experience!



According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac Some Native American tribes in what is now the northeastern United States called the August full Moon the Sturgeon Moon because they knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full moon. Other tribes called August’s full moon the Full Green Corn Moon signaling that the corn was nearly ready for harvest. Other examples for August are Wheat Cut Moon (San Ildefonso, and San Juan), Moon When All Things Ripen (Dakota Sioux) and Blueberry Moon (Ojibwe).



All proceeds go toward the support and maintenance of the Lighthouse Tower, Museum and grounds. Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Inc. thank you for your generous support. Tickets are $50 each.



Reservations must be made by phone at 877-725-4448 ext. 1 or 707-882-2809 ext. 1 or in person no later than 3:30 p.m. three (3) days 

 the date of the event. We require a minimum of eight (8) reservations to conduct the tour, and there is a limit of 20 guests per tour. If we reach the minimum prior to three (3) days before the event we will accept additional reservations (up to a total of 20 guests) until the day of the tour. We do not accept walk ins unless we have not reached the maximum number of guests.



 No refunds given if you cancel your reservation three days or less before the event. Tours will be cancelled if less than eight (8) guests sign up prior to three (3) days before the tour. 

You will receive a full refund if the event is cancelled. 

Please call our Reservation Desk at at 877-725-4448 ext. 1 or 707-882-2809 ext. 1 three (3) days prior to the tour to confirm the event is happening as scheduled.

(almost) Full Sturgeon Moon Night Tour

The current Whale Watch Room Gallery Exhibit features photography by Rod Whaley and jewelry by Ling-Yen Jones.  The exhibit will display from August 5 through October 31.  Rod’s exhibit includes photographs printed on silver gelatin, cotton paper and stretched canvas selected from two of his previous exhibits in other galleries, 

 from 2005.  Unframed color prints of Point Arena Lighthouse and surrounding landscapes will be also be available during the exhibit. The exhibit focuses on both California and Oregon natural environments Rod shot from 1998 to 2022.



 is of abstract, minimalist and straightforward photography.  Three 30” x 40” stretched/framed canvas will be arranged as window shades to bring natural light luminescence and vibrancy to each piece.


“

 photographed in black and white at South Yuba River State Park, Nevada County will be shown along with 5”x7” note cards.

 are living sculptures photographed from tidal pools along Oregon and California coastlines, created for the first time an elongated 12ft. x 13in. color print on canvas tailored for The Whale Watch Room Gallery.

 is a segment that delivers Rod’s fascination with natures wonderment.  The opening of a rose, spiral twist of Calla Lilly, and “The Unfolding” of Agave, the show print origin.




My “day job” never gained traction to a guided or planned career in photography, rather an unknown journey giving time and space to seek my own study.  As I peered through the lens with intent to capture my “wabi-sabi” I found connection in nature and industrial design where line, shadow and shape bring forth sculpture.  I am inspired from works of Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Weston and Minor White.




Rod Whaley hails from Tillamook County Oregon.  Born in 1953 in Detroit, Michigan he earned a BA Degree in Humanities/Communications from Florida Atlantic University in 1974.  His artistic side was put to good use when he was a Technical Illustrator/Photographer for Boeing Airplane Company from 1980 to 1984 and a Network Design/Publications Author for Boeing Computer Services from 1986 to 1990.  He then spent 1990 to 2015 in Telecommunications Engineering/Operations, Pacific Telecom Cable, Alaska Communications, Southern Cross Network.  Rod spent almost 2 years during COVID working on a project in Manchester CA and during that time he stayed in Assistant Keeper’s House 3 at the Lighthouse, joined occasionally by his wife Julie, and enjoyed taking pictures of the Mendocino coast to add to his portfolio.

Whale Watch Room Gallery Exhibit - Aug thru Oct

Sara Bogard presents "Seals In the Ebb and Flow - Harbor Seals and other Species of the Point Arena Lighthouse/Stornetta Public Lands."


Lighthouse Lecture Series Presentation on September 16th, 2023 at 4 p.m.




This Lecture Presentation gives an ongoing glimpse in 2023 of the rich diversity of life and habitat seen at the Point Arena Lighthouse and adjacent Stornetta Public Lands. The presentation will share the lives and critical habitat of the animals who reside and migrate through this shoreline and bluff. From her weekly surveys and monitoring, Sara will present data she has gathered on the resident Harbor Seals, birds and other species over the past year. During the pupping season from March through June, her highest pup count was 29 pups on June 8th and the high count of adults and immature was 226 on July 6th. Observations of Harbor Seal mother and pup interaction reveal a unique bond across many species. From this data and information, patterns and cycles of birth, nesting and migration emerge to make these bluff tops a spectacular place to view and connect with the natural world.







Sara is an Ocean Conservationist. She is a citizen scientist and volunteer for:


-  The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Beach Watch Program
-  The California Central Regional Harbor seal Monitoring and Inventory Program
-  The Marine Mammal Center
-  The Sea Ranch Harbor Seal Docent Program
-  Naked Whale Research


As a citizen scientist volunteer for the GFNMS Beach Watch Program, she surveys several area beaches and bluffs, counting live species on both, and additionally counts and takes measurement of dead species on beach surveys. These surveys are done with teams of volunteers to collect and report data throughout the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.  She gathers weekly data on the Harbor Seal population at the Point Arena Lighthouse/Stornetta Bluff and, for the California Central Regional Harbor Seal Monitor and Inventory Program, during the pupping/molting season.

Her volunteer work for The Marine Mammal Center includes assessment, monitoring and rescue of marine mammals. In addition, she takes on the role of a Harbor Seal Docent for The Sea Ranch, during the pupping season and conducts other ongoing pinniped surveys in Mendocino County, California.  She also volunteers for Naked Whale Research, which focuses on tracking Killer Whales and other cetaceans along the Mendonoma Coast. Her goal is to collect this data and share her observations to promote the health and sustainability of pinniped populations in Northern California and bring public awareness to the effects of human and current environmental factors which affect these species.

Lighthouse Lecture Series - Sara Bogard

On Saturday, February 17 at 4 p.m. Robin will share her recent travels to Russia as a citizen diplomat. Her stories will include the projects recently completed and the warmth and kindness received by people in many areas of Russia. Take a look at the communities they love, of food they enjoy, of their standard of living which might surprise you, and so much more. Pictures speak a thousand words so many photos of recent travels will be shared.

The presentation will include photos of Lake Baikal, which sits near Mongolia and has 20% of all the water on our planet earth, photos of Siberian grasslands and forests, horses and wildflowers, city spaces of Irkutsk, Anga, and Moscow and many photos of smiling people. Robin hopes to encourage us all to understand that people, even in Russia, have personal stories and personal views that are not always what the media portray. Everyday people in Russia have everyday lives with many of the same concerns, hopes, and dreams that we all share.

Robin has been connected to Fort Ross State Historic Park ( now retired) and to Russia for over 30 years. She was lead coordinator for the natural and cultural programming at Fort Ross working closely with academics, organizations, churches, and tribal members which created many deep rooted relationships that carry on today. She has presented throughout the United States and Russia and continues to do so even through this difficult time. She has traveled extensively in Russia often putting together groups of tribal members and /or academics to strengthen the understanding of our shared history with Russia. Robin recently traveled to Russia in 2019, 2021, 2022 and most recently in 2023 to continue the diplomacy that is so important in today's world.

Lighthouse Lecture Series - Robin Joy Wellman

Scott Mercer presents Sea Otters and Kelp Forest Ecology as part of the Lighthouse Lecture Series on Saturday, December 16 at 4 p.m. in the Fog Signal Building Museum at the Point Arena Lighthouse.



Sea otters are termed keystone species and ecosystem engineers due to their profound impact on their environment. Keystone species circulate throughout their habitat and have a wide variety of prey which checks the population of many species.

In this lecture presentation Scott will explain that sea otters are termed “keystone species and ecosystem engineers” due to their profound impact on their environment. Keystone species circulate throughout their habitat and have a wide variety of prey which checks the population of many species.

“Sea otters are at a unique juncture in their evolutionary journey,” he notes   "They are more marine than terrestrial and more terrestrial than marine.” Sea otters are the only marine mammals without a blubber or fat layer.  Fur has been their salvation and their downfall. They rely on their incredibly thick pelage, or fur coats, to maintain their body temperature. In addition, each adult sea otter consumes one-third of its body weight daily.  In return, ecosystems with sea otters exhibit a 15-20% greater biodiversity.

In his presentation, Scott will discuss factors that determine the distribution and abundance of species. He will also discuss among many other subjects, such as their own natural history and how these German shepherd sized weasel relatives have shaped human economic and social history over their existence.

Scott began studying marine mammals in 1974 in Monterey Bay with an extended study of the feeding ecology of sea otters. After relocating to his native New England in 1978 he founded New England Whale Watch, Inc. as an opportunity to offer firsthand ocean life education to the public, and for him to collect data on the whales being observed. Scott was recently interviewed about his role as a pioneer in Atlantic Coast whale watching by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as part of a history of the whale watching industry in New England. He is also cofounder of the Brier Island Ocean Study, a research station in Nova Scotia, Canada. He has led offshore and overnight excursions to the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, in the Caribbean, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada. In 1982 he co-authored 

 and for 14 years he taught a marine mammal class for the University of New Hampshire’s Continuing Education, as well as science classes for the Southern Maine Community College.

Lighthouse Lecture Series - Scott Mercer

The Point Arena Lighthouse Light Station Store will celebrate the Point Arena Merchants Association Hometown Holidays event on Saturday, December 9 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by offering free admission to the Indoor Museum, Outdoor Museum and Light Station Store (Tower Tours will be available for $5 per person 4 and up).  Do your holiday shopping in the Light Station Store and get big savings - the more you spend the more you save, up to 30% off your entire purchase!  Check out the sale table as well, with discounts up to 75% off.  Children 12 & under will receive a free gift bag and there will be free hot spiced cider and cookies for all.  We have stocked up with an amazing and varied array of merchandise including outerwear, home décor, jewelry, fine art, toys, books, holiday ornaments and more.  You are sure to find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list at the Light Station Store, and maybe treat yourself to a special gift as well!  

Hometown Holidays

The Point Arena Light Station Store wants Locals to do their Holiday shopping here!If you live from Timber Cove to Elk you get free admission to the Light Station and big discounts in the Light Station Store - the more you spend the more you save! Just show your ID at the Entry Kiosk for free admission to the Light Station and your discount card, and find unique gifts for everyone on your list.

8 Days of Christmas

Shari Goforth presents "We are All Whale Photographers: How community members can contribute important visual information to the knowledge and conservation of gray whales and other species in a rapidly changing climate."

Lighthouse Lecture Series Saturday, November 18 at 4 p.m.



Shari will share basic gray whale behavior, how to spot them, photo techniques, and simple equipment, such as a cell phone and binoculars or spotting scope, so that anyone can contribute valuable photos to the scientific knowledge of whales seen in our area. Community science, in our case photo documentation, is a vital part of the understanding and conservation of not only gray whales but other species, too.





Shari has spent her career life as a Registered Veterinary Technician, mostly in small companion animal medicine. She not only loved animals growing up, but she was also interested in their biology, behaviors, and conservation. Since moving to the coast nearly seven years ago she has pursued her passion for understanding Eastern Pacific Gray whales, photographing them and submitting photos to databases for identification. She developed her Mendonoma Gray Whale Photo ID Project, taking her first photo in 2018 with basic camera gear. Over time, she invested in high quality camera equipment and studied settings and techniques to improve photo resolution. Her gray whale interest-turned-obsession led her to recently travel to Monterey Bay, the Oregon coast, and one of the gray whale breeding and birthing lagoons, Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Lighthouse Lecture Series - Shari Goforth

The Point Arena Lighthouse is thrilled to welcome back the Moonlight Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos Bajo la Luna) on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This special community event is the presentation of the Pacific Community Charter High School (PCCHS) students and faculty and is free to all. The exhibit will remain on display through Tuesday, November 7.

The exhibit of student art inspired by the popular Día de los Muertos celebration will be displayed in the Buttress Room in the base of the Lighthouse Tower, and the students will be decorating the circular staircase that leads to the top of the Tower with paper marigolds, pressed tin art and other surprises and decorating the Lantern Room at the top of the Tower with student art. The displayed art is by students of PCCHS, Point Arena Elementary, Pacific Community Charter Elementary, Manchester Elementary and Horicon. There will be a Community Altar in the Whale Watch Room of the Fog Signal Building Museum watched over by a Catrina and the public is invited to bring their own offerings to add to the altar in memory of their loved ones. Action Network and PCCHS students will be offering free face painting to the children that attend the event.

In addition to the student art exhibit in the Lighthouse Tower the artist exhibiting in the Whale Watch Room Gallery (WWRG), Angelina Wilson, will be installing Día de los Muertos inspired art. She will continue to be the featured WWRG artist through Jan. 29, 2024 along with Ling-Yen Jones’ jewelry.  PCCHS students will also be selling hot chocolate, cinnamon tea, sweet tamales and small Mexican pastries to raise funds for Spring Field Study Trip. 

Some of the planned elements of the event include:

-  Día de los Muertos themed student art

-  Hot chocolate, cinnamon tea, sweet tamales and small Mexican pastries to raise funds for Spring Field Study Trip

Moonlight Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos Bajo la Luna)

Local artist Angelina Wilson will display her “Vintage Women” artwork as the Whale Watch Room Gallery Exhibit from November 1, 2023 through January 29, 2024.  This exhibit will feature both realism and cartoon style character paintings of women, and many will be Dia de los Muertos inspired art to surround the Community Altar and to complement the Moonlight Day of the Dead student art exhibit on display in the Lighthouse Tower.





I am Angelina Wilson, I am eighteen and have recently graduated in June of 2023. I love painting cartoon style characters, as well as realism portraits. I got started in art when I could pick up a pencil – then switched to painting animals and landscape scenery. Thanks to my Aunt A I got to join Gualala Arts’ art programs and learned to do Chinese lettering and bind my own books, as well as joining in the “Art in the Schools” exhibits from second grade to my junior year.

I really got started with my cartoon style paintings about three years ago. The style of Japanese film and television animation really caught my eye and deeply inspired me, as well as western cartoons from aspiring creators and larger animation studios. I watched different shows, and seeing the vivid colors and the peculiar designs made me want to be a part of creating similar images. Portraits make me feel as though my art is more important than my previous style choices. As though my artwork is seen more than my previous interests.

My biggest influences include Ross Tran, Vincent van Gogh, Noah Verrier, Kiptoe, Partycoffin, Andrea Allen, and Baz Luhrmann. All have very different styles, but all are beautiful to me. My future goals are to stay in Gualala and continue my job in the local Thai Kitchen to learn as much as I can, as well as getting into every single gallery in Gualala, Point Arena and possibly The Sea Ranch too, if there is anywhere to show my art there. And finally, to work with local artists and learn from them and to also start joint projects.

Whale Watch Room Gallery Exhibit - Angelina Wilson

Saturday, October 28 - Gates open 7 p.m., Tour around 7:30 p.m.

According to the Old Farmer’s it is believed that this full moon came to be called the full Hunter’s Moon because it signaled the time to go hunting in preparation for the cold winter ahead. Animals are beginning to fatten up ahead of winter, and since the farmers had recently cleaned out their fields under the Harvest Moon, hunters could easily see the deer and other animals that had come out to root through the remaining scraps (as well as the foxes and wolves that had come out to prey on them). The earliest use of the term “Hunter’s Moon,” cited in the Oxford English Dictionary, is from 1710. Some sources suggest that other names for the Hunter’s Moon are the Sanguine or Blood Moon, either associated with the blood from hunting or the color of the changing autumn leaves. The names of the moon are most often related to natural signs of the season or to activities that were done at this time of year. Some other Native American names for the October full moon include Drying Rice Moon (Dakota), Falling Leaves Moon (Anishinaabe), Freezing Moon (Ojibwe), Ice Moon (Haida) and Migrating Moon (Cree).


Full Hunter's Moon Night Tour

Scott & Tree Mercer present "The Value of Whales and the Threats Climate Change Poses to Their Survival."

Lighthouse Lecture Series Saturday, October 21 at 4 p.m.



Whales have always had a major influence on climate. They are closely connected to the removal and sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as well as the production of oxygen. We will explain and illustrate the vital role whales play in maintaining a healthy and stable marine ecosystem which in turn, is beneficial to all life on earth. We will also show how the condition of our changing climate is presenting challenges to the survival of many whale species.





Scott began studying marine mammals in 1974 in Monterey Bay with an extended study of the feeding ecology of sea otters.After relocating to his native New England in 1978 Scott founded New England Whale Watch, Inc. as an opportunity to offer first hand ocean life education to the public, and for him to collect data on the whales being observed.Scott was recently interviewed, for his role as a pioneer in Atlantic Coast whale watching by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as part of a history of the whale watching industry in New England.He is also cofounder of the Brier Island Ocean Study, a research station in Nova Scotia, Canada.He has led offshore and overnight excursions to the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, in the Caribbean, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada. In 1982 Scott coauthored 

 and for 14 years he taught a marine mammal class for the University of New Hampshire’s Continuing Education, as well as science classes for the Southern Maine Community College.

Tree has a Masters Degree in Science Education, and taught Biology, Life Science, and Physics in Long Island, New York for 38 years, as well as coaching three varsity level sports for as many years. Tree coordinates and organizes the data she and Scott collect. She designs their power point lectures for in-person and ZOOM lectures, as well as their research presentations at conferences.

Lighthouse Lecture Series - Scott & Tree Mercer

Saturday, September 30 - Gates open 7:30 p.m., Tour around 8 p.m.

The Harvest Moon is the moon that falls nearest the autumnal equinox. This full Moon provides the most light at the time when it’s needed most—to complete the harvest. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac full moon names were used by early Colonial Americans who learned the names from the local Native Americans. Indigenous people did not record time by using the months of the Julian or Gregorian calendar. Many tribes kept track of time by observing the seasons and lunar months, although there was much variability. The September full moon is also called the Full Corn Moon because it traditionally corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It is also called the Barley Moon because this is the time to harvest and thresh ripened barley. Some other traditional September Full Moon names used by Native Americans include “Moon When the Plums Are Scarlet” (Lakota Sioux), “Moon When the Deer Paw the Earth” (Omaha Native Americans), and “Moon When the Calves Grow Hair” (Sioux Native Americans).


(almost) Full Harvest Moon Night Tour

The Lighthouse Lecture Series presents Point Arena Lighthouse Executive Director Mark Hancock presenting "153 Years of Lighting the Way" on Saturday, August 19 at 5 p.m. in the Fog Signal Building Museum.  This lecture will showcase the fascinating history and technology of the 153 year old Light Station, the three Lighthouse Towers that have been on the Station since it was established in 1869, the Light Keepers and their families, the light sources used to guide ships at sea, the geology of the Light Station peninsula and more.  Admission is $5 per person and the lecture is scheduled to last about an hour, with Q&A at the end.

Lighthouse Lecture Series - Mark Hancock

The Point Arena Lighthouse Celebrates National Lighthouse Day!




The Point Arena Lighthouse will celebrate 

 on Monday, August 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All visitors will enjoy free admission to the 

. Tower Tours will be available to guests 6 years and older for $5 per person. 

 was originally established in 1989 to “honor the beacon of light that, for hundreds of years, symbolized safety and security for ships and boats at sea,” according to the 

. Point Arena Lighthouse joins hundreds of lighthouses across America on August 7 in celebrating the day by offering free admission and special events.


More information is available by calling the Lighthouse at 877-725-4448, ext. 1 or 707-882-2809, ext 1.

National Lighthouse Day

Saturday, July 1 - Gates open 8:30 p.m., Tour around 9 p.m.



According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac the July full moon is called the Buck Moon since at this time a buck’s antlers are in full growth mode. This full moon was also known as the Thunder Moon because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month. Other Native American tribes had their own names for this full moon include Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee), Middle of Summer Moon (Ponca) and Moon When Limbs of Trees Are Broken by Fruit (Zuni).


As of Friday, June 30 we have 14 reservations.  We will accept up to 20 reservations for this tour.   We will accept walk ins the night of the tour if there are still open spots, but strongly suggest making advance reservations by phone at 877-725-4448 ext. 1 or 707-882-2809 ext. 1 or in person as soon as possible if you want to ensure you get a spot on this tour. 




(almost) Full Buck Moon Night Tour

Saturday, June 3 - Gates open 8:30 p.m., Tour around 9 p.m.


According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac this Full Moon got its name from the Algonquin tribes in eastern North America who knew it as a signal to gather the ripening fruit of wild strawberries. It has also been known as the Honey Moon, Mead Moon, and the Full Rose Moon in Europe.


Full Strawberry Moon Night Tour

Coast Highway Artists Collective (CHAC) artists Ling-Yen Jones, Chris Grassano and Barbara Fast are the featured artists in the Whale Watch Room Gallery in the Fog Signal Building at the Point Arena Light Station. The exhibit will remain on display through August 3, 2023.




Ling-Yen is a jeweler working mainly in silver, semi-precious stone, and pearls. Her style ranges from the traditional to the modern and is completely unique. All of her pieces are individually handmade and are therefore one-of-a-kind or in small series with repeating motifs. She trained with David Laplantz at Humboldt State University, at Monterey Peninsula College, and various Mendocino Art Center Workshops and assistantships. Jones has also exhibited at Point Arena-CityArt, the Pacific Grove Art Center, Gualala Art Center and the Mendocino Art Center.




I define jewelry as creations which are useful, artistic, symbolic, identifying, and an expression of personal ideas. In my earring line some of the motifs I use are leaves, birds, and windows. When these elements and others are integrated into a piece, they can represent new beginnings, changes, hope, and further growth in oneself. The materials that I enjoy using most are sterling silver, copper, gold, and pearls, and semiprecious stones. My intentions for each one-of-a-kind pieces are that it is clean looking, distinctive, and artistically rendered.




She attended Montclair State College where she majored in Fine Art. After graduating she worked in a variety of mediums including acrylics, oils, glass mosaics, copper relief and pen and ink. After moving to San Francisco she earned a BFA in Illustration. She now lives in the small town of Cazadero, which is part of the Russian River area and she takes some of her inspiration from the majestic coast redwoods. Her goal is to blend realism, imagination, emotion, and design to communicate a personal vision that touches the universal.




I will be displaying oil paintings inspired by my many visits to the coast. It is with gratitude and joy that I exhibit my oil paintings celebrating the diverse nature of our beautiful North Coast. I have enjoyed staying at the Point Arena Lighthouse lodgings and visiting the grounds many times. The paintings I am showing have been inspired by these visits. I have always loved drawing and exploring nature. My earliest subject matter was my dog and the flowers in my backyard. The beauty of the physical world in all its diversity inspires me, whether it is the texture of a feather, the richness and harmony of the color of a flower petal or the rhythm of a waving branch in the wind.




Barbara is a retired Pediatric Surgeon with 30 years in the profession. She attended University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine and completed post-graduate training in general surgery and then pediatric surgery. After moving to Point Arena she observed that “there was a cute building in downtown Point that would be perfect for an art gallery.” With Ling-Yen Jones she founded the Coast Highway Artists Collective in 2012. Since then she has enjoyed working in a variety of artistic mediums including embellished hard shell gourds, felting and basket making.




I am not a professional artist, but I enjoy working with many different materials to satisfy my need for creativity. I particularly like to work with materials that reflect the world around us. In my ribbed basket I used reed, coiled sea grass and an antler shed by one of our local deer. These materials seem most appropriate for an exhibit at the Point Arena Light Station which is a Mendonoma treasure.

Whale Watch Room Gallery Exhibit - Current

Keeping this stationary ship on the ocean in great condition for all our visitors is a constant challenge, but one which we have managed to meet. There have been many significant remodel and maintenance projects completed since the last Light Station Journal:

Light Station maintenance staff Jeff Wyrick and Mark Hancock completed the Bookkeeper’s Room remodel project after
numerous delays.  This fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant studio hosted its first guests in May 2021 and has been a popular rental since

Painted the complete interior of Assistant Keeper’s House 2, installed new carpeting, laminate flooring, draperies and hardware, living room furniture and bathroom mirrors and light fixtures

Completed a redesign of the Keeper’s Room which included all new furniture, appliances, interior paint, acoustic panels, lighting and reorientation of all furnishings to better showcase the incredible views

Installed special acoustic panels in Head Keeper’s House primary bedroom

Decorated Head Keeper’s House living room with original paintings by Sea Ranch artist Diane Rasmussen and bedrooms with photography donated by Scott Sewell

Decorated Keeper’s Apartment with photography donated by Paul Kozal

Architect Mark Quattrocchi donated his time and expertise and worked with volunteer Laverne Hancock, Architect Jon Stong (who Mark brought onto the project) and Executive Director Mark Hancock to develop the design for the Maintenance Garage remodel.  Jon then   created plan drawings for use in permit application and construction.  Plans include offices for Mark and Tom, a commercial grade laundry and supply storage room for Housekeeping, an ADA compliant employee restroom, new rollup garage door and a new driveway to address standing water and drainage issues.  Plans and permit application submitted to Mendocino County Planning & Building in April and approved December 22.  Construction began March 6, 2023.   

Dunn Right Painting of Ukiah completed the following projects:

Power washed the Lighthouse Tower and the seven vacation cottages and studios

Painted the exterior of the Lighthouse Tower
Mitigated the rust, sealed and painted the Lantern Room catwalk

Stripped, ground off the existing coating and painted the Watch Room balcony floor

Stripped, ground off the existing coating and painted the Buttress Room floors

Painted siding, soffits, eaves, trim and doors on the seven vacation cottages and studios

Superior Pump & Drilling completely rebuilt the well system, including all new electrical boxes and wiring, chlorine injection system, well controls, piping, pressure gauges and tank level monitors

Guy & Ellen Kibbe installed new electrical panel and breakers in the Garden Shed. They corrected electrical issues in the Head Keeper’s House, Keeper’s Room and Bookkeeper’s Room, and they rewired those units so that the Keeper’s Room and Bookkeeper’s Room have their own dedicated panels

Carl Rittiman & Associates and Septic Skeptic inspected the septic system and determined the 2nd tanks in line should be abandoned and filled, the 1st tanks rerouted to the leach field and new distribution box and filters be installed.Septic Skeptic and their excavator will survey the entire system to ensure that this work can be done.

Replaced sewer line from Head Keeper’s House to septic system sewer lateral and installed 2 way cleanouts.

There are both short and long term projects in our maintenance master plan:

Complete remodel of the Maintenance Garage

Install new roof and gutters on public restrooms

Replace all exterior electrical conduit with non-ferrous piping

Replace exterior propane gas lines in vacation rentals

Install propane tank and piping outside the Fog Signal Building, install propane stove in the building

Brunsing & Associates to perform a geotechnical survey of the Light Station and prepare an engineering geologic investigation report providing the following (Board member Samara Freeman is pursuing grant funding for this project):

A description of the geology of the Point Arena peninsula, including faults, landslides, rock bedding and areas of severe erosion

A description of the geology of the sea caves

Geologic hazard assessment of the sea caves

A description of mitigation measures that may be needed in specific areas based upon BAI's experience with similar projects

Install interpretive panels at all features of the Outdoor Museum

Install new Lighthouse billboards on Highway 1

Install new entry billboard that includes information on our non-profit ownership of the Light Station

Restripe all handicapped parking spaces following ADA requirements

Strip and paint the Fog Signal Building floors

Install retracting steps at the fire escape windows in the Fog Signal Building

Remove all metal items from the “bone yard” behind the water tanks

Continue to remove non-native ice plant from the grounds, particularly in the Coastal Prairie area near the Tower and behind the Fog Signal Building

Repair/replace exterior siding and trim dry rot on all houses

Enclose firewood storage units behind cottages

Enclose tankless water heaters and exterior electrical boxes

Remodel Assistant Keeper’s House 3.Current plan is to create a 2 bedroom, 1 bath cottage with full kitchen, dining room and living room and create a 1 bedroom, 1 bath studio with kitchenette.This will bring our number of rentals up the eight

Remodel Assistant Keeper’s House 2.Current plan is to remodel this unit using the same plans that were used for our first remodel of Assistant Keeper’s House 4 with changes based on what we learned from that remodel

Repave the Light Station roadways, lodging parking pads and visitor parking area at the Tower and Fog Signal Building

Install weather station on the Light Station and make the data available on our website, other weather websites and the NOAA network of weather stations

Replace current gasoline powered golf cart used by Maintenance staff with electric utility vehicle

Pursue grant funding for a whale monitoring camera system that would be installed outside the Fog Signal Building and an interactive software application that would provide visitors with data on the whales and other marine mammals that it records passing by the Light Station

Purchase and install new Knox box on stand in front of security fence

Install solar panels and backup electrical system

Run electricity and water out to Gazebo area

Build enclosure for dumpsters to protect from high wind blowovers

Evaluate existing cypress trees and develop a plan for replacement as required

Construct replica of the “car barn” that was on the property in between the 1930s and 1950s between the homes and the Gazebo Peninsula as an event center, storage of all maintenance equipment and materials, overflow/large inventory storage for Light Station Store and additional lodging units

Light Station Remodeling & Maintenance

Over the past year the Light Station Store has gone through quite a transformation. We’ve added new displays, new products, and renewed enthusiasm to enhance our guests’ experience to ensure that everyone has a memorable visit to the Lighthouse. The team invested many hours of research to provide a wide variety of items for sale, from souvenir trinkets to beautiful, one-of-a-kind nautical themed works of art. In this day and age brick and mortar gift shops are becoming an endangered species. We love watching the faces of our guests when they first walk into the Light Station Store. They usually walk in not expecting much, then they enter the store and are happily surprised at what they see. We see lots of smiles and comments like “wow, we had no idea this was here!”. Many a husband has said the buyer should be fired because his wife is having way too much fun shopping, then the husband usually joins in on the fun. Yes, we sell product to help support the Lighthouse, but our vision goes beyond a profit margin. We want all our visitors to truly enjoy themselves, so our team has striven to provide a fun shopping experience for all ages, from a unique toy area for kids, to memorable gift items for adults young and old. We offer a wide range of price points to accommodate every budget.

You name it, we have it. We now offer a complete range of men and women’s jewelry options from $20 to $200, even cool jewelry for children and teens. The clothing we offer includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, windbreakers, wraps, caps, gloves, scarves, beanies and Sherpa jackets. We also have quite a stunning collection of glass art, including glow-in-the-dark jellyfish paperweights, colorful glass starfish and sand dollars, as well as molten glass vases melted onto driftwood bases. We highlight the talented local photographers who have beautifully captured images of our lighthouse. Our book selection includes children’s books as well as outstanding books about our Lighthouse, the fascinating history of our coastal region, and a number of booklets for nature enthusiasts. And yes of course we have binoculars so that you watch the whales!

If you’ve been to our Light Station Store before, be sure to come again as we are constantly evolving, finding new treasures to offer you. If you haven’t visited us lately please make it a point to come see this amazing store. As members remember that you ALWAYS get 10% off your purchases in the Light Station Store.


The Light Station Store

It has been 2 years since COVID initially shut down the Light Station and we have gradually recovered, thanks to repeat and new visitors, our Lodging guests, our Members and our amazing staff.

These last 2 years have been a challenging, tumultuous, energizing, exciting and rewarding time for me on the Light Station. August 2023 marked by 7th year as Executive Director and as I tell our guests when they ask how long I’ve been here, it is the best job I’ve ever had and I wish I had it 30 years ago! My deep thanks to Larry Stornetta and Larry Jacobs for extending credit to us during the first days of COVID so that we could pay our bills and maintain the Light Station during the shutdown. I was fortunate to find several essential service providers to rent our cottages when the Shelter in Place (SIP) rules were in effect, and that helped us stay afloat. My HR/Finance Manager (aka Right Hand) Tom Birdsell was critical to keeping us in business and paying our bills during the closure and in helping the Light Station reopen safely. One of our biggest challenges was staffing back up when the SIP rules began to be loosened and allow us to welcome back guests. Only one of the Light Station Store, Lodging or Tour Associates came back so I had to hire a completely new staff. This new team hit the ground running and helped transform the Light Station Store and Indoor Museum to comply with the ever-changing SIP rules. Because we also lost our Light Station Store Manager/Buyer, Tom and I had to take on those roles, and also had to take care of the Lodging desk responsibilities. After the vaccine became available my former Lead Tour Associate Sheila Berotti asked to return and I was more than happy to add her back to the team. She took over the Lodging Associate responsibilities soon after she returned and along with bringing Ann Birdsell on board to be our Light Station Store Manager/Buyer that took those loads off Tom’s and my backs. Ann has totally transformed the Store’s appearance, presentation and inventory and it continues to set new all-time sales and profitability records. Remi Alexander, who was promoted to Light Station Store Assistant Manager in December, has also been doing a great job managing our social media presence. Our Housekeeping team, led Housekeeping Manager Irma Martinez, stepped up to comply with the OSHA cleaning guidelines and ensure their own safety and that of our lodging guests and they continue to be some of our most valuable assets. Adding Mark Moelter and Brian McDougall to the Maintenance/Groundskeeping team after Justin York left us made my staff whole. I now have what I consider to be the best team on the coast!

Who knew that the Light Station would end up being a beneficiary of the disaster we’ve all lived through these past couple of years? Once the SIP rules were relaxed and people could travel again it was like the tourist floodgates were opened. We have enjoyed record Lodging, Admissions and Light Station Store revenues since we reopened, allowing us to pay back all our loans, have the Tower painted inside and out, complete the remodeling of the Head Keeper’s House, Bookkeeper’s Room, Keeper’s Room and refresh of Assistant Keeper’s House 2, paint the exterior of our vacation cottages and studios, and build up reserves that will allow us to complete our short- and long-term remodel and maintenance projects .

On May 1, 2021 we were finally able to celebrate the “150 + 1” anniversary of the Lighthouse first being lit on May 1, 1870. The first 20 people that joined the Club 150 fundraiser were invited to come to the ceremonial relighting of the Tower using its original 1870 signature of a solid white light. Board member Don McCormick fashioned the light that was used to replicate the original signature. I was particularly thrilled that my youngest daughter Tiffany and her family – Hussein, Oliver and Fiona – were the first Club 150 members to join. Next time you visit the Light Station be sure to check out the Club 150 and Lifetime Member plaques in the Buttress Room of the Tower.

Lighthouse Guest Relations Managers Arena Mina and Tasi continue to perform their roles outstandingly, both being actively sought out by our visitors.  I want to thank the many people that became Lifetime Members during the pandemic , their commitment to the Light Station contributed to our survival. Special thanks as well to Surf Market for making us one of the recipients of a $6,500 donation to celebrate their 65th anniversary. I particularly appreciate our many repeat Lodging guests that stay with us multiple times each year and frequently bring presents for Mina and Tasi. Finally, thanks to all of our Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Inc. members – your ongoing support helps us keep the light shining in our 153rd year!

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