On-site museum exhibits and other lighthouse related functions are operated by the city of Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California.

The present light source, located 89 feet (27 m) above sea level, is a 1 kilowatt bulb, which produces a 50,000 candela beam visible under favorable conditions up to 15 nautical miles; 27 kilometres (17 mi)[5] distant.

A foghorn was also located below the lighthouse closer to shore which could be turned on manually by the Coast Guard personnel when lack of visibility warranted its use.

The first light source was a whale oil lantern set inside the lens, whose tank the keeper had to climb the tower to fill several times a night.

In 1850, after the Mexican–American War and the American acquisition of Alta California, Congress appropriated funds for the construction of lighthouses on the West Coast.

In 1852, the Secretary of the Treasury ordered the building of seven beacons along the California coast, one of which was to be located at Point Pinos, the dangerous southern entrance to the Monterey Bay.