Piedras Blancas Light Station

While camping up north at San Simeon, we took a tour of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse and wildlife sanctuary.

I had low expectations for this 2-hour tour.  We were a group of 12, comprised mostly of kids, so I was prepared for lots of long sighs and pained faces.  Mostly coming from me.

Turns out this tour was not only painless, it was quite entertaining.  I daresay it was fun.

It helped that the views were breath-taking.

Along the way, we learned about the wildlife sanctuary, bought souvenirs, and  even spied some elephant seals playing in shallow water.

'Piedras Blancas' translates into 'white stones'.  Looking out at the beautiful white rocks that face this lighthouse, it makes sense why they named it so.  But what makes those stones white?  Is it calcification?  Can it be lime?

It's bird poop.


http://www.piedrasblancas.org/