Weekend Snapshot: Point Vicente Lighthouse
Saturday, we visited Rancho Palos Verdes for their 25th Annual Whale of a Day Celebration. This is the time when the Pacific gray whales migrate from their summer feeding grounds in the frigid waters of the Bering and Chuchki Seas in Alaska to the breeding grounds in the warm lagoons of Baja California. 
Unfortunately, during the whole afternoon, there were quite a number of whales every now and then, but they were too far in the deep, I did not capture any shot. But I can share you an adventure.
We went up the Point Vicente Light House. The tower is 67 feet tall but the beam of light marks Point Vicente from a height of 197 feet above the ocean. I have fear of heights. But I insisted I go up the steep climb. It is only open every second Tuesday of the month with the exception of March, where it is open on the first Saturday in conjunction with the City’s Whale Celebration. It is free but children below 7 years old are not permitted.
We climbed the 74 steps to the top. We enjoyed the ocean view, the sea salt scent, the waves lashing their might against the rocks. 
Coming down was a bit scary, so I did it backwards.
This is the 5-foot Fresnel Lens located at the top, in the lantern room . It has a 2 million candlepower illumination that its white light shines up to 24 miles out to the sea. The lens is double sided and has 2 “bull’s eyes” so that the mariner sees it flash 2 times every 20 seconds. Since its rotation is every 40 seconds, I did not have a good picture of the full lens. It was really scary. With its limited space, they only allow 4 or 5 people viewing at a time.
A view from the top of the Light House. That is a US Coast Guard rescue chopper.
Coastal view of the Pacific Ocean, breath taking.
The Good Year Blimp hovering the skies, whale spotting?
I had a good time, how about you? Share your experience and join us!
March 8th, 2009 at 9:28 am
great fotos! Coastal view of the Pacific Ocean, breath taking indeed!
carlota’s last blog post..PF #14: Mar 6
March 8th, 2009 at 9:31 am
love the light house shots
every looks wonderful of course 
enchie’s last blog post..A New Toy For My Kitchen
March 8th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Oh, that would really be an adventure for me too. I haven’t been to a real light house in my life. Thanks for sharing!
sassy mom’s last blog post..WS : Thunderbird Resort – Rizal
March 8th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Climbing down the stairs in the backwards direction? I thought that would even more “challenging”? ;p
Dora’s last blog post..Braised Sweet Preserved Vegetables with Roasted Pork
March 8th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
nice shot. looks like you got a good time.
thanks for visiting mine
milet @ blipbit.com’s last blog post..WS : Water
March 9th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Beautiful photos! It must have been exciting watching the whales.
I’ve never been inside a light house. For some reason, I think a light house is a romantic place. I’m also afraid of heights but I would like a chance to go up on one and see the magnificent view on top.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)’s last blog post..Weekend Snapshot #64
March 9th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Ok,this is more like it,the link I have been looking for
Wonderful, wonderful. You know, Baja is one of those places I really want to visit, along with Death Valley. Please don’t ask me why, I don’t know why too
Have a great week!
julie’s last blog post..UP-Ayala TechnoHub
March 9th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
I love the top photo best because of it’s beautiful view. Reading the post makes me feel i’ve been roaming around myself. hehehe
Arlene’s last blog post..Just a Quick Post
March 29th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
[...] is my first entry to this weekly meme. While whale watching at Point Vicente Beach in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, I saw these flowers. Its one variety of the Daisy family, and it is [...]
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 am
[...] top photo was originally posted here. Local storytellers contend that the Point Vicente Light Tower is home to a lady ghost who lost [...]