Cape Mendocino Light stands in Shelter Cove, California, where it has guided mariners since 1868. Originally perched on Cape Mendocino — one of the most exposed points on the Pacific Coast — the iron-plate tower survived decades of punishing winds before being relocated to Shelter Cove in 1998. Its compact, prefabricated design made it one of the earliest metal lighthouses on the West Coast. The light remains active, though the tower is not open to public climbing. Golden hour and foggy mornings offer the most dramatic photography. Nearby, visitors can explore the Lost Coast Trail, black sand beaches, and the rugged King Range National Conservation Area — some of California’s most remote and spectacular coastline.

Explore Nearby

• Seal Rock State Recreation Site — State Park in Oregon
• King Range National Conservation Area — Public Land
• Sinkyone Wilderness State Park — State Park in California
• King Range Wilderness — Public Land in California
• Zane’s Ranch Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in California