After climbing its 177 steps, the Pensacola Lighthouse at Naval Air Station Pensacola offers some of the U.S. Gulf Coast’s most beautiful views.

The powerful beacon on the Gulf Coast’s oldest and tallest lighthouse is visible 27 miles out to sea, 30 miles on a bright day, according to local mariners.

Perched on a 40-foot bluff, the brick lighthouse first lit in 1859, casts its beam 19 feet above sea level, the highest focal plane in Florida. Resting on a 40-foot deep granite foundation, the lighthouse walls are 10 feet thick at the base and three feet thick at the top.

Automated in 1965, the keeper’s quarters were vacated. The U.S. Navy rented the rooms out to visitors for a time before the building was scheduled for demolition in the early 1980s.

Concerted efforts by a group of concerned citizens that later became the non-profit Pensacola Lighthouse Association, saved the keeper’s quarters and generated a 1992 renovation project.

Today, the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light while the Pensacola Lighthouse Association manages and maintains the tower and museum in the keeper’s quarters. Operating without any federal, state or local government aid, the Association relies on public support. Adult admission is $6, $4 for children age 12 and under, seniors 65 and up and active duty military.

The lighthouse was recently featured on the Travel Channel’s “Haunted Lighthouses of America” and SyFy Channel’s “Ghost Hunters.”

Historic stories of ghostly encounters are shared during the Light of the Moon Tour, which takes visitors on a guided night-time walk through the museum and up the tower for a breath-taking, moonlight view of Pensacola Bay.

Lighthouse enthusiasts are encouraged to climb the tower to watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Air Show practices from a unique and exhilarating viewpoint as the jets make many passes at nearly eye level.

The lighthouse’s most intimate tour offers after-hours access to the museum, a sunset top of the tower reception and complementary set of etched, toasting flutes.

Self-guided tours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Hours are extended during the summer and on holidays. Guided tours are available.

For more information including detailed, historical information on the lighthouse, and to make tour reservations, visit www.pensacolalighthouse.org