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Humboldt County

OUTDOORS & ENTERTAINMENT

NORCALPULSE IS YOUR GUIDE TO IT ALL!

BEACHES, RESTAURANTS, HIKING AND MORE

Humboldt County

OUTDOORS & ENTERTAINMENT

NORCALPULSE IS YOUR GUIDE TO IT ALL!

BEACHES, RESTAURANTS, HIKING AND MORE

NorCal:

Petrolia - Punta Gorda Lighthouse

King Range National Convervation Area
Petrolia, California 95558
Southwest Humboldt

The Punta Gorda Light Station was known as the "Alcatraz of Lighthouses" because of its inaccessibility and because Light House Service employees were supposedly exiled there due to misconduct.  It began operating on January 15, 1912 but due to the remoteness and the difficulties in keeping it maintained, it was decommisioned in 1951.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and still stands strong along the Lost Coast.
You can make the six mile round-trip hike to the Lighthouse which is one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in the state.  It can be strenuous due to the winds and walking on sand but for coastal beauty and peace, it's worth every step and will give you a good idea of why this area is called, The Lost Coast.  
*Please pack out your trash
How to get there:
From Honeydew, take Mattole Road west until you reach Lighthouse Road (you'll reach it before you cross Mill Creek into Petrolia) and take a left.  Lighthouse Road will take you to the Mattole Campground which is the trailhead.  Follow the signs for a breathtaking 3-mile hike south to the lighthouse.
From Petrolia, take Mattole Road through town.  After you cross Mill Creek, take Lighthouse Road to the right. Lighthouse Road will take you to the Mattole Campground which is the trailhead.  Follow the signs for a breathtaking 3-mile hike south to the lighthouse.
More info:
Bring water and snacks as well as comfortable shoes/boots.
  If you have hiking poles, you may want bring them.  The hike is not necessarily difficult but most of the trail is on sand and that can make the hike seem more strenuous than other hikes of the same distance.  Get a little more information about the hike HERE.
Other things to do in the area:
If you love the outdoors, the King Range National Conservation Area is a dream come true.  Click the link above for more info and start planning your next adventure today!
 
*Click on the photos below to enlarge them

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