Standing guard at the treacherous entrance to San Francisco Bay, Mile Rocks Light has guided mariners since 1906. Originally built as a fog signal station on a dangerous rocky outcrop, the lighthouse was later replaced with a modern automated helicopter-pad-style platform — one of the most unusual lighthouse designs on the West Coast.

The light remains active but is not open to the public, as it sits offshore and is only accessible by boat. Photographers capture stunning shots from the Lands End Trail, especially during golden hour or when fog rolls through the Golden Gate. Nearby attractions include the Sutro Baths ruins, the Cliff House, and the Coastal Trail leading to Baker Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Explore Nearby

• The Headlands Dark Sky Park — Dark Sky Site in Michigan
• Twin Peaks — Public Land
• Angel Island State Park — State Park in California
• Thornton State Beach — State Park in California
• Mission Crossing Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina