Hours: The National Park Service recently closed the suspension bridge that connects the lighthouse to the mainland because it was deemed to be unsafe -- rules already limited use of the bridge so only 2 people at a time could cross on it (see video below). The bridge dated back to 1940, when the rocky trail washed out in a series of storms. The tunnel that leads to the suspension bridge remains open on weekends from 12:30–3:30 pm, but without the bridge there's no way to get to the lighthouse itself. The project is supposed to be completedApril 1, 2012! You can find a recent update here.
There's a reason that the Point Bonita lighthouse is still in operation over 140 years after it was first constructed: the area is often shrouded in fog and in the early history of California literally hundreds of ships entering the Golden Gate ran aground on the rocks.
It's also no coincidence that the Saturday through Monday visiting hours for the Point Bonita Lighthouse are the three hours of the day when the fog is least likely to obscure the area.
Whether you're a lighthouse fan anxious to see the third lighthouse ever built on the Pacific Coast of the United States, or you're just out to see the area's natural beauty, Point Bonita can be a stunningly beautiful and fascinating place to visit.
The last half mile of the route to the lighthouse is only accessible on foot, using a trail that is steep in places, so wear appropriate shoes and take your time. Especially if it's foggy!
The first image below is a satellite photo that shows the trail, and the second is a map that shows how to get to the parking area and Point Bonita Trailhead. You can zoom in and scroll the map by pressing the buttons as described in the directions below.
Google Map Instructions: Use the "+" and "-" buttons to zoom in and out, the arrow keys to scroll the map, and the SAT button to see the satellite view.
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