Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon announces the 16th year of shuttle bus transportation beginning Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, and running through late March 2014. "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."
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 is an important tool to protect the fragile headlands but also allow access for visitors.
Bus service runs only on weekends and federal Monday holidays (no service on January 1 when the Lighthouse is closed) in good weather. Ticket sales open at 9:30 am at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach and close at 3 pm. 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 buses are operating. Road closures begin approximately at 9:30 am and the road reopens approximately at 5:15 pm. For more information, please call the Bear Valley Visitor Center at (415) 464-5100 x2 x5 or visit our Winter Shuttle Bus System page.
-NPS-
Tags: point reyes point reyes national seashore point reyes lighthouse drakes beach elephant seal elephant seals whale gray whale bus shuttle seals
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
