Ultimate Guide to the California Lighthouse in Aruba
Find all the need-to-know information about visiting Aruba’s California Lighthouse, a cultural icon which offers amazing 360-degree views of the island.
When planning a trip to Aruba, you’ll want to make sure the California Lighthouse is on your agenda. As Aruba’s only true lighthouse, this beautiful building offers history, views, and a unique experience for all. In fact, it’s one of the top attractions in Aruba!
Choose from visiting during the day to test just how far you can see from the top of the Aruba lighthouse, or stop by at sunset to get one of the best sunset views in all of Aruba. Want more options? You can have dinner at the lighthouse in Aruba and stargaze into the dark night skies, set away from the rest of the island. Whatever option you choose, the most important one is to simply make a visit to the lighthouse.
Now let’s dive into all the details you need to make that happen.
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Current Status: The lighthouse underwent maintenance from October 2025 through mid-December 2025. The stairs and windows were repaired, walls were replastered and repainted, and a new safety railing was installed for the climb, making the ascent noticeably safer than before. It’s back open to the public. As with any historic monument, it’s worth checking the California Lighthouse Facebook page before you go, just in case of a short-notice closure for further upkeep.
About the California Lighthouse
The California Lighthouse is a prominent landmark in Aruba. It’s named after the ill-fated steamship S.S. California, which met its demise near the island’s coast in 1891. Constructed from 1915–1916, the lighthouse has withstood the test of time and now stands as a century-old symbol of Aruba’s maritime history.
Its design isn’t just functional, it’s actually borrowed from history. French architect Léon Jean Marie Bourgeois designed the lighthouse, drawing inspiration from the Cordouan Lighthouse in France, the oldest lighthouse still in operation in the world. That’s part of why the structure feels more architecturally distinct than a typical utilitarian lighthouse.
From the outside, you’ll notice it offers a classic architectural design with a cylindrical structure adorned with a white facade. Reaching a height of approximately 98 feet (30 meters), the California Lighthouse offers visitors an elevated 360-degree view of the beautiful island of Aruba.
Functionality of the Lighthouse
Originally, the California Lighthouse served a crucial role as a navigational beacon guiding ships safely into the harbor of Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad. However, as maritime technology advanced, traditional lighthouses became less essential. This lead to the eventual decommissioning of the California Lighthouse.
Despite its retired navigational duties, the lighthouse now stands as a cherished historical and cultural landmark in Aruba. It is one of the must-visit destinations for visitors to Aruba.
Visiting the California Lighthouse
Today, the California Lighthouse in Aruba has transitioned into a major tourist attraction, which you have to visit! In 2016, it underwent a complete renovation to make it safe to ascend to the top via 117 steps, and as of the late-2025 maintenance work, the climb now also has a proper safety railing throughout. At the top, you’re greeted with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding area.
Warning: As it’s a lighthouse, the staircase is quite narrow and can be a bit claustrophobic for those who don’t like small spaces. You also end up about 100 feet in the air, so beware if you have a fear of heights! If that’s not you, pay the entrance fee and get some of the best views in Aruba.
While the views are worthwhile any time, the best time to visit the California Lighthouse is at sunset. This is when you can see the sunset from the northernmost point of Aruba over the sea – a view you aren’t soon to forget, especially since you’ll want to snap a photo or two.
If your trip happens to line up with a full moon, that’s another great time to visit: the moonlit views over the ocean and rugged island landscape create a completely different, quieter atmosphere than the sunset crowds.
The lighthouse is open everyday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, unless there is a private dinner scheduled. Then it closes at 5:30 pm. You do not need reservations to climb the lighthouse. Just show up and pay the California Lighthouse admission fee of $5.
Find the most up-to-date hours and cost on the California Lighthouse Facebook page.
Add-On California Lighthouse Drone Experience
While visiting the California Lighthouse is a must for everyone in Aruba, there are a few “add-ons” available. One of which is the option to do a “Drone Experience” . They start at $20 running from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and can be booked on site upon arrival. No need to reserve ahead of time.
The drone experience offers you a 360-degree drone video of your visit to the Aruba lighthouse. It’s a great souvenir option!
Dinner at the California Lighthouse (On Hold)
Another option, that comes with a more hefty price tag (starting around ~$300), is an exclusive dinner at the top of the California Lighthouse in Aruba. This was previously offered by Experitours, with two seatings offered daily, 6 – 8 pm for sunset and 8:15 – 10:15 pm for under the stars. It had been said to be “one of the only two lighthouse dining experiences in the world.”
It was limited to 2 people per seating and only 2 seatings per day. with a choice of a full three course dinner or a Charcuterie board. Both options came with a bottle of wine. While you could previously book your California Lighthouse dinner online, the experience is temporarily on hold as Experitours’ contract with the California Lighthouse (Stichting Monumentenfonds Aruba) has come to an end.
If this experience reopens, we will update this post!
Full Moon at the California Lighthouse (On Hold)
In previous months, the California Lighthouse has offered the opportunity for visitors to climb to the top of the lighthouse during the full moon each month (no reservations needed). Unfortunately, this is another event that Experitours used to offer and is now officially on hold until further notice.
How to Get to the California Lighthouse in Aruba
The California Lighthouse is strategically positioned on the northernmost tip of Aruba, near the Hudishibana coast. This location provides stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and is part of what makes the lighthouse a must-visit destination.
Fortunately, that also means it is easily accessible from most parts of Aruba, particularly those most visitors will be staying in Aruba, such as Oranjestad, Palm Beach, and Eagle Beach.
Drive to the California Lighthouse
Renting a car is one of the most convenient ways to get to Aruba’s California Lighthouse. From Oranjestad, head northwest on L.G. Smith Boulevard. Continue on L.G. Smith Boulevard all the way to the northernmost tip of the island. From there, follow signs to the California Lighthouse to navigate the final stretch of the journey.
It’s just a 20 minute drive from downtown Oranjestad or 11 minutes from Palm Beach. Upon arrival you’ll find a parking area where you can leave your car. It’s very straight forward.
Take the Bus to the California Lighthouse
While not the ideal way, it is possible to take Arubus to the California Lighthouse. You’ll want to take the L10A towards Arashi and get off the at the Arashi Arubus Stop next to Arashi Beach. From there, you’ll have to walk the remainder of the way, which is just under 1 mile at 1.5 km.
Taxi to the California Lighthouse
It’s simple to grab a taxi anywhere in Aruba and head to California Lighthouse. Just make sure to price out your journey at on the official Aruba Taxi website before you go as it can be expensive if you’re anywhere in the south of Aruba. Upon arrival, you can either ask your taxi to wait for you, or grab a different one on your way out.
Do a Tour to the California Lighthouse
Being a cultural icon in Aruba, most guided tours in Aruba stop at the California Lighthouse as one of the highlights. As such, you can select almost any of the island tours to get to the California Lighthouse. A few of my favorites include:
Other Things to Do at the California Lighthouse
While the main attraction at the California Lighthouse is of course the lighthouse itself and the views surrounding it, there are a few other things nearby to check out.
- Stop by Yum Yum Aruba: This little food truck sits outside the California Lighthouse and is the perfect place to grab an ice cold drink, popsicle, or coconut.
- Eat at Faro Blanco: One of the best Italian restaurants in Aruba, Faro Blanco is just beside the California Lighthouse. (Fittingly, it’s housed in what was once the lighthouse keeper’s residence.) Here you’ll enjoy delicious food along with amazing views and a romantic atmosphere. Try to go around sunset for the most memorable dining experience.
- Arashi Beach: Stop by one of the many beaches along the northwestern side of Aruba. Arashi is the closest and here you’ll find white sand and clear water. You can also grab a snack or drink at the Arashi Beach Shack located right off the parking lot for Arashi Beach.
- Boca Catalina: A short drive away, this small, secluded bay is known for calm, clear water that’s great for swimming and snorkeling. It’s a quieter alternative if Arashi feels crowded.
FAQs about the California Lighthouse
Have additional questions about visiting Aruba’s California Lighthouse?
Let us know in the comments!
