...yesterday morning on a great day outing up the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. You know me with lighthouses - I never ever pass up the chance to see one. I parked at the Prospect Point parking lot in Stanley Park and walked to the lookout area but couldn't see the lighthouse from there. There are some awesome views of Lions Gate Bridge from this spot though. I wasn't giving up on the lighthouse. I got on one of the trails heading down to the water and kind of went through the brush a little bit to get to the bottom path which took me under the bridge right to the lighthouse. It's an old and pretty little structure but overwhelmed somewhat by the world class bridge that towers above it. I'm sort of thinking it's kind of like a little brother to the bridge. They're always together, and both wouldn't be the same without the other.

The Prospect Point Lighthouse, for whatever reason, doesn’t seem to get nearly as much love as the Brockton Point Lighthouse. I suspect there are at least a few reasons for this: 1) Prospect Point Lighthouse isn’t quite as picturesque (its location could make taking photos a bit more difficult); and, 2) It isn’t as readily accessible. Whereas Brockton Point Lighthouse can be easily reached via Park Drive or the Seawall, Prospect Point Lighthouse can only be reached via a relatively (short) walk along the Seawall. If one were to park at or near Prospect Point Lookout, just walk down to the Seawall from there – heading west – and you’ll eventually come across the lighthouse. Finally, 3) Prospect Point Lighthouse isn’t quite as historic. Indeed, while a lighthouse has guided ships here since 1888, the current structure is relatively “new,” having been built in 1948. Compare that to the Brockton Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1914. I know that’s just a 34-year difference, but we can be fickle creatures at times ;) In any event, the Prospect Point Lighthouse does carry a significant history and we should respect it for that. Its presence illustrates, for us, the importance of Vancouver as a port city on the west coast. If you’re walking along the Stanley Park Seawall and come across this lovely beacon of light, please do take the time to read the information boards prior to taking a selfie!