Punta Gorda Light stands on California’s remote Lost Coast near Petrolia, one of the most isolated lighthouses in the state. Built in 1912 to guide ships along the treacherous Mendocino coast, it operated until 1951 when it was decommissioned. The squat concrete tower, battered by decades of wind and salt air, remains standing but is not open to the public and cannot be climbed. Reaching it requires a strenuous 3-mile beach hike from the Mattole Trailhead, rewarding visitors with dramatic coastal scenery. Golden hour and foggy mornings offer the best photography conditions. Nearby attractions include the Lost Coast Trail, Mattole Beach, and the charming village of Petrolia — California’s first oil-producing settlement.

Explore Nearby

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