• Tule elk silhouetted against sunlight reflecting off of Drakes Bay.

    Point Reyes

    National Seashore California

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Seals, Whales, and Shuttle Bus Service Return!

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Date: December 10, 2001
Contact: Loretta Farley, 415-464-5140

Point Reyes National Seashore announces the beginning of the 2001-2002 shuttle bus service as of Saturday, December 29, 2001 through mid-April 2002. The annual weekends and holidays only closure coincides with the seasonal migrations of gray whales and elephant seals. “At this time of year, we have several major natural history events occurring at the Point Reyes Headlands area and the number of visitors coming to the area to enjoy these events can be overwhelming to this small and fragile area, stated Park Superintendent Don Neubacher. “Traffic congestion within the Headlands has been identified as a major problem in our public planning process. The Lighthouse area is a prime whale watching area while Chimney Rock is known for the annual breeding of the Northern elephant seals and the spring wildflower displays.”

The shuttle bus service occurs on weekends and holidays in good weather. Sir Francis Drake Highway closes at South Beach at 9:00 am and visitors are diverted to Drakes Beach to ride the shuttle. Round trip service is $4.00 per person with children 12 and under free. Shuttle busses run continuously on demand with ticket sales ending at 3:00 pm and the last bus leaving for the Headlands at 3:30 pm. Sir Francis Drake Highway reopens at 5:15 pm.

The return of elephant seals to Point Reyes beaches also prompts the temporary closure of the southern end of South Beach to dog use. Leashed dogs are permitted at North Beach, Kehoe Beach and the southern section of Limantour Beach.

-NPS-

Did You Know?

Tule Elk

In the mid-1800s, the tule elk was hunted to the brink of extinction. The last surviving tule elk were discovered and protected in the southern San Joaquin Valley in 1874. In 1978, ten tule elk were reintroduced to Point Reyes, which now has one of California's largest populations, numbering ~500. More...