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Shuttle System In Place At Point Reyes National Seashore For Elephant Seals, Migrating Whales

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Published Date

December 24, 2017

Shuttle systems will run at Point Reyes National Seashore in California for visitors hoping to see northern elephant seals or migrating gray whales/NPS

Point Reyes National Seashore Superintendent Cicely Muldoon says the 20th year of shuttle bus transportation will begin Saturday, December 30, and running through late March 2018 for visitors hoping to catch glimpses of migrating gray whales or elephant seals lounging on the beaches.

"Winter is a wonderful time not only to watch the annual Pacific gray whale migration from Alaska to Mexico, but also to celebrate the recovering populations of northern elephant seals as they return to breed at Point Reyes," she said.

The Winter Wildlife Docent program also begins, with volunteers at the Chimney Rock and Lighthouse overlooks to assist visitors.

Limited parking is available at prime viewing areas, such as at the Historic Lighthouse and Chimney Rock headlands. Bus service eases congestion in these areas. 

Bus service runs only in good weather on weekends and federal Monday holidays. Shuttle service will operate on December 30, December 31, and January 1. Ticket sales open at 9:30 a.m. at the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach and close at 3 p.m. Children 15 and under are free; adult tickets are $7 per person; and Federal Interagency Senior and Access pass discounts apply to the purchase. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is closed beyond the South Beach junction when the buses are operating. 

Road closures begin at approximately 9 a.m. and the road reopens at approximately 5:30 p.m. For more information, please call the park's "Shuttles, Whales, and Elephant Seals" information line at 415-464-5100 x2 x3 x1.

Park visitor centers will close at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 24, and will be closed all day on Monday, December, 25. The Bear Valley Visitor Center will reopen at 10 a.m. on December 26 and ranger programs will be offered every day at 1:30 p.m. from Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29.

For more information, please call the Bear Valley Visitor Center at 415-464-5100.

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