“Ever thought about a park that’s partly in the ocean?” That’s Point Fermin Park. It marks the southernmost point of Los Angeles. This 37-acre park is more than just a pretty view.
Point Fermin Park got its name from British explorer George Vancouver. He named it in 1793. Vancouver thanked Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen for his hospitality. Father Lasuen ran the mission in Carmel.
The Point Fermin Lighthouse is the park’s centerpiece. It was built in 1874. California Redwoods were used in its construction. The lighthouse shone brightly until World War II in 1941. Radar made lighthouses less important. The Point Fermin Lighthouse fell into disrepair. It was renovated in 1974. Now, visitors can explore it Tuesdays through Sundays.
But Point Fermin Park has a secret. Part of it is slipping into the ocean. Geologists call it “slumping.” A large chunk of Paseo Del Mar began to slide in 1929. In the 1930s, it moved as fast as 11 inches a day. Most houses were moved. Luckily, no one died. The movement stopped in the 1940s. The land is still unstable and fenced off.
Point Fermin Park has faced dark times. In the mid-1990s, there were teenage suicides here. The beauty of Point Fermin Park transcends this darkness.
Today, locals jog and picnic here. They watch wind- and kitesurfers. People cool off under magnolia trees. They gaze at Catalina Island. Waves crash against the rugged coastline. Live jazz fills the air on summer Sundays.
You might spot dolphins and harbor seals from the cliffs. The park also has picnic areas and a playground. A small amphitheater hosts events. Walker’s Cafe sits near the park entrance. It is a popular movie location.
Point Fermin Park is one of the few places where Monarch butterflies spend their winters. The Point Fermin Lighthouse is also part of a historic district. The district includes other buildings that tell its story.
There is a coal house and privy from 1874. A storehouse dates back to the 1880s. Three cisterns collected rainwater. Two base end stations helped aim guns. A radio compass station helped prevent shipwrecks. A naval detection defense station once stood here. Battery Osgood-Farley protected the Port of LA.
The lighthouse itself has an interesting history. Mary and Ella Smith were the first keepers. They started in 1874. Paul J. Pelz designed the lighthouse. It features Victorian architecture. A Fresnel lens at the top could be seen for 13 miles. The light source changed over the years. It went from oil to kerosene to electricity.
The US Coast Guard deeded Point Fermin Lighthouse to the City of LA in 2018. The Point Fermin Lighthouse Society now manages it. They offer tours and run a museum and gift shop. The missing Fresnel lens was found in 2006. It is now on display in the museum.
So, come explore Point Fermin Park. Experience its beauty and history. Just watch your step near the edge.