A gracious relic of the past, it is an island unto itself. It is unique among its kind. Originally there were six like it, but only three are sill standing. At one point in time its future had become uncertain. It survived because it is historically intrinsic and loved by many. Now 133 years old, it is a matchless California destination with a spectacular view. It is the East Brother Light Station.
The East Brother Light Station quite literally sits on top of an island in the strait that separates San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. The light station began operation in 1874. The original lens was illuminated by a wick filled with whale oil. Later the means of illumination was replaced by a fifth-order Fresnel lens, powered by a 500-watt bulb. The San Francisco Bay area is one of the foggiest places on the coast, so the island lighthouse was also outfitted with a fog horn. The keepers lived on the island with their families and cared for its operation until it became automated in 1969.
The light station is of a unique design. The tower is attached to a two story Victorian style house. There were five other lighthouses built in this design located at various places on the United States coastline, but aside from East Brother only two are still standing. Not far down the coastline from San Francisco near Los Angeles in the San Pedro Bay is one of them, the Point Fermin Lighthouse. The other is on the east coastline in New Jersey called Hereford Light.
The future of the East Brother Light Station became uncertain. A fire incident destroyed the island's wharf and boathouse. After it was automated, the keepers were no longer needed. The Victorian style house sat neglected and void of life. The government wanted to tear it down. Thanks to local residents who saw value in the past and the necessity to preserve its heritage, an outcry arose protesting its demolition. The Victorian house and other buildings were saved and steps were taken to restore it, not just to its former glory, but into a place where all who want to experience the wonder of a lighthouse with a beautiful vista for a magnificent backdrop can do so.
The East Brother Light Station is now an island bed and breakfast. There are five available rooms. Four of the rooms are in the lighthouse itself and the fifth is in the original Fog Signal Building. The rooms are beautifully appointed and each has its own stunning view of the Bay Area and surrounding landscape or seascape, whichever you prefer.
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| Two Sisters Room |
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| Walter's Quarters Room |
If you would like the warmth and romantic atmosphere a fireplace provides, the Two sisters Room would be your likely choice, if you seek more privacy, the Walter's Quarters in the Fog Signal Building 100 feet from the lighthouse, closest to the water. The Marin Room and San Francisco Room rate is $525 for Thursday through Sunday. The Two Sisters Room, West Brother Room, and Walter's Quarters Room is $475 for Thursday through Sunday. Room rates apply for one or two persons per room. Rates include parking at the harbor, the boat ride to and from the island, hors-d’oeuvres with complimentary champagne, a tour of the lighthouse
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| Marin Room |
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| San Francisco Room |
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| West Brother Room |
A full breakfast is served in the dining room each morning at 9:00am. One of their house specialties is their own Lighthouse French Toast Soufflé. For overnight guests, dinner is served in the dining room at the same hour giving ample time for guests to visit. Menus and accompanying wines change seasonally, but some of our gourmet, multi-course meal favorites include Citrus Glazed Rock Cornish Game Hen or beef and salmon Wellington in a puff pastry served with a dill hollandaise sauce.
The island is a ten minute boat ride from the mainland. It is 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Once on the island, you will be treated to spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, Mount Tamalpais, and the Marin coastline. Your senses will be immersed and soothed by the smell of the bay, the sound of the lapping water on the rocky outcrops, and your imagination can take flight or stay put, its all the same either way, nostalgic and reinvigorating.
East Brother has consistently earned five star ratings from Yelp and TripAdvisor.
1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA
510-233-2385
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