We then continued out to Port San Luis and parked near the fisherman's memorial where our hike out to the Point San Luis Lighthouse would begin. After meeting the group leaders and the other participants in the hike, we headed up the driveway into the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. We paused at the porta potties and then one of our guides opened a gate in the fence and we began a swift and steep climb up to a very narrow paved road. We continued on this for a short period before branching off onto the Pecho Coast Trail. It's a 3.75 mile roundtrip hike out to the lighthouse.
This trail is carved into the cliff overlooking the harbor and works its way towards Point San Luis. At a point overlooking Lighthouse Cove and the large jetty that protects the harbor, we descended back to the road and entered the lighthouse grounds.
Here was a new building of very nice restrooms and then we walked up to the gift shop/museum where we were greeted by volunteers from the San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, a non-profit organization that is restoring the lighthouse. There is a $5 donation fee for touring the lighthouse.
Our tour was very interesting. The rooms were restored to look like they were back in the early part of the 20th Century when families inhabited the lighthouse and maintained the light that opened in 1890. The volunteers have done an outstanding job bringing this historic spot back to life. Their biggest problem is the access since the only way to get to it (besides coming by water) is through PG&E property. They do offer trolley tours though on Saturdays and some Sundays and they are now doing special events including weddings.
Here's the lighthouse website: http://www.sanluislighthouse.org/index.html The hike we took is only offered twice a week and you have to sign up two weeks in advance. There is no charge for the hike and the volunteers who guided us were extremely knowledgeable about the area and the history. The trail itself is stunningly beautiful but might not be that pleasant for folks who suffer from vertigo. Also, because of the elevation changes, you need to be in decent shape to do this hike. It is also a four hour commitment. While we had perfect, warm weather for our hike, that is not always the case. It can get quite cool and windy here. The hikes are cancelled if it's raining. After we returned to the parking lot, the wind picked up and there were now whitecaps on the bay.
Despite the wind and much cooler temperatures, we walked out on the pier. There were seagulls and pelicans waiting to be fed from fishermen cleaning their fish.There was also a large wooden barge next to the pier filled with sea lions lying in the sun who were constantly barking.
The restaurant at the end was closed but there was another back in the parking lot. Our lighthouse volunteer though had suggested we have lunch in Avila Beach.
Although the Custom House looked nice, it was now pretty windy and we wanted to eat outdoors. We found a nice table at the Avila Grocery & Deli instead. They make a killer hamburger for $4.95.
http://www.avilagrocery.com/index.html
The volunteer also told us of a beach that would probably be shielded from the wind. So, we drove up to the parking area for Pirate's Cove and walked down to the beach and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the sun.
Then, it was back to the Cliffs Resort, another green flash from the balcony, and another Giants win in the first game of the World Series. Way to go Pablo! This was a pizza night.
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