Calfornia Lighthouse on Aruba

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California Lighthouse

Aruba


Up the hill from Arashi Beach, this tall sentinel is named for an old wrecked ship called the California, which is not the ship of similar name (Californian) that stood by ineffectually while the Titanic sank, despite much local lore to the contrary. The views are great and the wind is strong, especially at the top. This is a popular spot to catch the sunset.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Aruba attractions

1. Arashi Beach

0.25 MILES

Near the island’s northwestern tip, this is a favorite with locals and popular with families. There's good bodysurfing, some shade and just a few rocks…

2. Palm Beach

2.91 MILES

A classic white-sand beauty – but only for those who enjoy the company of lots of people, as it fronts the high-rise resorts. During high season the sands…

3. Butterfly Farm

3.51 MILES

Tucked between the low-rise and high-rise resort areas, this place will make your heart go aflutter, as the gorgeous gardens are teeming with butterflies…

4. Chapel of Alto Vista

3.77 MILES

This remote chapel, uniquely sited overlooking the north shore, was built in the 1950s on the site of its predecessor, which dated to 1750. The road to…

5. Eagle Beach

4.19 MILES

Fronting a line of low-rise resorts just northwest of Oranjestad, Eagle is a long stretch of white sand that regularly makes lists of the best beaches in…

6. Manchebo Beach

4.99 MILES

Just south of Eagle, this large beach reaches out to a point. It was once a destination for topless sunbathers, but that's frowned upon these days. Still,…

7. Aruba Aloe Museum & Factory

5.08 MILES

You'll see aloe – the spiky desert plant that is the source of the healing and moisturizing aloe-vera gel – sprouting all over the island. Aruba Aloe…

8. Aruba Archaeological Museum

6.45 MILES

The capital's newest museum is housed in the beautifully restored colonial-era Ecury Complex, home to a successful merchant family throughout the 20th…