Aruba’s California Lighthouse takes the term sightseeing quite literally. Located near Arashi Beach on the northwest tip of the island and originally erected to warn ships away from the Caribbean coastline, this towering landmark offers you a rich piece of history and arguably the most inviting views of this fascinating island nation.
This lighthouse commemorates the S.S. California, a wooden steamship that shipwrecked in Aruba at midnight on Sept. 23, 1891 after sailing from Liverpool toward Central America. On board, passengers were partying hard when the wreck occurred. Meanwhile, the crew was more practical, tossing cargo overboard as the sinking vessel hit the coast so the merchandise could be sold in Oranjestad — or so the story goes.
Two decades later, a French architect designed the striking edifice that came to be known as the California Lighthouse. Construction on the lighthouse began in 1914 and took two years to complete. The tower was built using stone blocks quarried in the area. Meanwhile, the top — which stands at 100 feet high — was made of metal to house the mood-altering light that shines onto the landscape today.
Perched high over the sea, the old stone lighthouse has become one of Aruba’s most well-known landmarks. From its vantage point, take in the postcard-worthy views of the island’s western coastline with its white-sand beaches, rocky shorelines and Tierra del Sol, a popular golf course.
The lighthouse is located in an area known as Hudishibana, where daredevils tend to test their dune surfing skills in the California White Sand Dunes. Don't ask; it involves sliding down the dunes in any way that seems comfortable. Just wear strong jeans or trousers.
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