White stone is the translation and not because it is white rock but just a rock covered in guano! We met in a rainstorm at the abandoned Piedras Blancas motel some two miles north of the light station and were split into groups of twenty, paid the organizers (TIP: take your NPS Golden pass or equivalent for half price entry), then made a convoy of vehicles in through the normally locked gate to a car park directly in front of the light station. Gary was our guide and he was very articulate and charming and entertained and educated us for two hours! Spiraled our way around the point checking out the various wildlife forms including cormorants, falcons, pelicans and gulls. In the water we spotted sealions, elephant seals, otters and in the distance migrating whales. Every stop included some history and light keeper lifestyle changes over the past 150 years. The light has been removed from the top of the structure and the fresnel lens can be seen in nearby Cambria. There are plans to restore the light but California state regs required earthquake reinforcement be installed which could push the restoration work to $10 million! Kudos to the volunteers for their work restoring and tour guides for an outstanding job promoting Piedras Blancas light station and making Route 1 coastal route a joy to travel and visit!
