Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon announced the 13th year of shuttle bus transportation beginning Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011 and running approximately through mid-April 2011. "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," stated Superintendent Muldoon.
Limited parking is available at prime viewing areas such as the Historic Lighthouse and Chimney Rock headlands. Bus service eases congestion in these areas. The shuttle transportation system was identified as an important tool to protect the fragile headlands but also allow access for visitors.
Bus service runs only on weekends and holidays in good weather; rain may cancel the shuttle bus on any given weekend or holiday. Ticket sales open at 9:00 a.m. at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach and close at 3:00 p.m. Children 16 and under are free, adult tickets are $5.00 per person and Federal Senior and Access Pass discounts apply to the purchase. Sir Francis Drake Highway is closed at South Beach junction when the busses are operating. Chimney Rock Road is also closed to all vehicle traffic when the shuttles are operating. Road closures begin at 9:00 a.m. and the road reopens approximately at 5:15 p.m. For more information, please call the Bear Valley Visitor Center at (415) 464-5100 x2 x5 or visit our Winter Shuttle Bus System page.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
