Point Conception

Point Conception (Chumash: Humqaq) is a headland along the Gaviota Coast in southwestern Santa Barbara County, California, United States.

Point Conception was named Cabo de Galera ("Galley Cape") by Spanish maritime explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542.

In 1602, Sebastian Vizcaíno sailed past again, renaming the protruding headland Punta de la Limpia Concepción[3] ("Point of the Immaculate Conception").

The Chumash people of the region have traditionally known Point Conception as the "Western Gate", through which the souls of the dead could pass between the mortal world and the heavenly paradise of Similaqsa.

[5] In 1978, the Point Conception area was occupied "by Chumash and other Native Americans trying to save it from development by a liquefied natural gas company.

Point Conception and the Gaviota Coast from the air, looking southwest. Point Conception Light is visible in blowup (click) at top left center. To the right (west) is Government Point, which partly encloses Cojo Bay . The Santa Ynez Mountains extend east (left) towards Santa Barbara .
Point Conception Light stands on a bluff 133 feet (41 m) above the Pacific Ocean .
Aerial photo of the lighthouse , looking toward the northwest.