Alcatraz Island Lighthouse (first West Coast lighthouse)

The Alcatraz Island Lighthouse occupies the highest point on Alcatraz Island and is the oldest lighthouse on the U.S. West Coast; the original lighthouse was built in 1854 and the current concrete tower dates from 1909. The lighthouse served as an active navigational aid for San Francisco Bay and remains a notable lighted landmark associated with the island and its federal penitentiary history. Visitors arriving via the Alcatraz ferry pass the lighthouse when approaching the island.