Original Long Beach Harbor Light Photograph courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest container seaport in the U.S., after only Los Angeles. Long Beach also comes in second after Los Angeles in another category, its lighthouse. The Long Beach Harbor Lighthouse surely must win the award for California's ugliest lighthouse. The three-story, monolithic structure was built of concrete and rests on a base of six columns. The lighthouse was designed to withstand earthquakes and seismic tidal waves. Completed in 1949, the lighthouse has never been manned, but was initially controlled remotely from the Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse. Also called the robot light, the lighthouse replaced an earlier skeleton tower shown in the top historic photograph to the right.

If the looks of the Long Beach Harbor Lighthouse are not enough to entice a visit, there are also two attractive faux lighthouses located in Long Beach Harbor. The middle picture shown to the left is of Parkers' Lighthouse Restaurant. The bottom picture is of the Lions Lighthouse for Sight, which was made possible largely through funds raised by the local Lions Club.

Present Long Beach Harbor Light Photograph courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Photo Gallery: 1 2 3

References

1. U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office website.

The best point from which to view the light from land, and admittedly this view isn't all that great, is at the end of Pier F in Long Beach Harbor. The end of Pier J would offer a good view, but unfortunately it is not open to the public. To reach Pier F, take Interstate 710 to downtown Long Beach and follow the spur which goes over the harbor and to the Queen Mary. Once you cross over the harbor, look for signs, which will guide you to Pier F.