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Point Arena
Lighthouse Vacation Rentals
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Arena Lighthouse
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Point Arena Lighthouse and Vacation
Rentals
45500 Lighthouse Road
P.O. Box 11
Point Arena, California 95468
(707) 882-2777
Toll Free:
(877) PALIGHT (725-4448)
Fax: (707) 882-2111
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Places to Go
Manchester
State Beach
Located just three miles north along Highway One,
Manchester State Beach offers five miles of sandy solitude. It
is bordered to the north by Alder Creek, where the San Andreas
Fault Line runs into the sea, and to the south by the Garcia
River.
Point
Arena Municipal Pier
This is a working harbor where commercial fishing and
urchin-harvesting boats may be seen unloading. Fishing without
a license is allowed from the pier. The pier also offers
deep-sea fishing, boating access, shops and restaurants. The
cove area to the south of the pier is a notable surfing
location.
City
Of Point Arena
Point Arena is one of only four incorporated cities in
Mendocino County. It boasts shops, galleries, several fine
restaurants, a library, the Point Arena Cinema, churches,
nearby campgrounds, and essential services.
Gualala
Located 16 miles south of Point Arena is the town of
Gualala, which has shops, restaurants, galleries, campgrounds,
beaches, churches, medical facilities, and essential services. |
Whale Watching
Each year the majestic
California Gray Whales pass by the Point Arena Lighthouse as
they migrate to and from the warm lagoons of Mexico.
Once almost extinct, these whales are once again increasing
their numbers, and can easily be seen from vantage points along
the California coastline. Point Arena Lighthouse, on a point of
land that juts out 2 miles into the Pacific, is an excellent
place to view these magnificent animals. Here whales are
commonly observed just off headland rocks, appearing almost to
scrape the rocks in passage. They are particularly close inshore
on the return migration from Baja when females may be seen
loitering by the rocks nursing their calves.
The Gray Whales are
perhaps the most rudimentary of all whales, not having developed
much in the last 30 million years. They may reach 50 feet in
length. Gray whales are Baleen whales, which means that they
have no teeth -- only stiff bristle-like brushes through which
they strain food from seawater.
Gray whales may be
viewed along the northern California Coast from December through
April in most years. Weather, warm currents, food supplies, or
other conditions may affect their schedule. The whales spend the
summer in the Bering Sea off of Alaska. They feed on krill to
build a supply of body fat, which must sustain them through the
winter months as they migrate. The whales often do not feed
during the entire migration, and their body weight can easily
reduce by a third.
Once they arrive in
Baja they will rest. Females impregnated during the previous
year will give birth. Mating takes place in the calm lagoons.
Then they will begin their long swim back to the summer feeding
grounds of the north.
Gray whales are
believed to use landmarks for navigation, and often will lift
their heads out of the water and spin slowly to see better. This
is called spy-hopping. When a whale leaps out of the sea it is
called breaching. Spy-hopping and breaching are frequently
observed from the Point Arena Lighthouse. One individual was
seen breaching fourteen times in succession, a truly
awe-inspiring sight! |
Things to Do |
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Fishing
The Mendocino Coast offers some of the finest sport
fishing. Red abalone abound in these cold, rocky waters and
may be taken in season. Steelhead, salmon, crab, and urchins
are also caught here. Arena Rock, a one-acre underwater "plateau,"
is a prime deep-sea fishing area.
Hiking
Nearby beaches offer the hiker solitude and scenery. Elk
Beach, Alder Creek, Manchester Beach, Mote Creek, Schooner
Gulch, Bowling Ball Beach, Anchor Bay, Gualala River, and The
Sea Ranch are a few of the coastal access points.
Camping
There are several privately owned and state campgrounds
in the area. These range in accommodations from primitive tent
sites to full RV hookup sites complete with cable TV. As well
as Manchester State Beach, the private campgrounds Manchester
Beach KOA is within a few miles of the Lighthouse.
Bird
Watching
Hundreds of graceful Tundra Swans (Whistling Swans)
winter each year on the nearby pasture lands along the Garcia
River. Kestrels, Red-tails, Osprey, Eagles, Marsh Hawks,
Peregrine Falcons, and hundreds of other species may be seen.
Shore and water birds abound. Brown pelicans and sea birds
nesting in the cliffs at Point Arena Lighthouse are seasonal
residents.
Festivities
Throughout the year several celebrations take place
along our beautiful coast. In May on Memorial Day weekend in
Point Arena is the Pig and Lamb BBQ. In July is the
Independence Day fireworks and parade in Point Arena.
Art-In-The-Redwoods is held during August in Gualala. The
Mendocino Coast Whale Festival is held in Fort Bragg and
Mendocino in March. |
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