Built in 1910, the Carquinez Strait Light guided ships through the narrow Carquinez Strait connecting the Sacramento River to San Pablo Bay near Vallejo, California. This modest wooden lighthouse served as a critical navigational aid for vessels transporting goods through one of California’s busiest waterways. Now decommissioned, the light is no longer active and is not open to the public.

What makes it notable is its location at the junction of river and bay, a strategic maritime chokepoint. Photographers will find golden hour light ideal, especially from the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline trails. Nearby attractions include the Vallejo waterfront, Mare Island Naval Shipyard historic district, and the Benicia-Martinez Bridge viewpoints.

Explore Nearby

• Benicia State Recreation Area — State Park in California
• Benicia Capitol State Historic Park — State Park in California
• The Headlands Dark Sky Park — Dark Sky Site in Michigan
• Twin Peaks — Public Land
• Cedar Roughs Wilderness — Public Land in California