The lighthouse sits between Point Loma and Point Conception. It was one of the last lighthouses to be built on the west coast. 1914 the Lighthouse Commissioner was presented with several arguments requesting funds for a lighthouse and fog signal to be built at Point Vicente. The point blocked out the light at Point Fermin. Traffic along the California coast had increased with the opening of the Panama Canal. Congress approved the funding in 1916. It was difficult for the Lighthouse Service to aquire the land as there were several very elaborate real estate underway at the time on the Palos Verdes Pennisula. The Lighthouse Service threatened to condemn the land inorder to acquire it. Finally in 1921 the land was secured. By 1925, three keeper dwellings, the fog signal building and the outbuildings were finished. By the Spring of 1926, the station's electrical generating plant finally illuminated the coast line with its 500 watt third order fresnel lens. The reinforced concrete tower stands fifty-five feet. The tower's height combined with the height of the prominence places the lens 185 feet above the water. It flashes a white light two times every twenty seconds.

The Coast Guard installed additional buildings and tall radio antennas in 1934. The radio station and navigation beacon were operated until 1980 when the equipment became outdated.

World War II saw the installation of a smaller light and black out curtains. The larger lamp was reinstalled after the war. By this time time residents of Rancho Palos Verdes began to complain about the light. The landward side of the lantern was painted white. As the light revolved around, a ghost like shadow appeared on the painted surface. This gave rise to the ghost stories that persist today about the San Vicente light.

The light was automated in 1971. The light still serves as an active Coast Guard Station.

Pt. Vicente Lighthouse is open to the public the second Saturday of every month from 10am to 4pm. Free admission.

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