• The Point Reyes Beach as viewed from the Point Reyes Headlands

    Point Reyes

    National Seashore California

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  • Operational Changes Took Effect on May 1

    The Lighthouse Visitor Center is now only open Fridays through Mondays. The Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center will be closed through late December 2013. More »

  • 2013 Harbor Seal Pupping Season Closures

    From March 1 through June 30, the park implements closures of certain Tomales Bay beaches and Drakes Estero to water-based recreation to protect harbor seals during the pupping season. Please avoid disturbing seals to ensure a successful pupping season. More »

Event Details

  • Multiple Days: 12/29/2012, 12/30/2012, 01/05/2013, 01/06/2013, 01/12/2013, 01/13/2013, 01/19/2013, 01/20/2013, 01/26/2013, 01/27/2013, 02/02/2013, 02/03/2013, 02/09/2013, 02/10/2013, 02/16/2013, 02/17/2013, 02/18/2013, 02/23/2013, 02/24/2013, 01/21/2013, 03/02/2013, 03/03/2013, 03/09/2013, 03/10/2013, 03/16/2013, 03/17/2013, 03/23/2013, 03/24/2013, 03/30/2013, 03/31/2013, 04/06/2013, 04/07/2013, 04/13/2013, 04/14/2013, 04/20/2013, 04/21/2013, 04/27/2013, 04/28/2013

    Main elephant seal colony
    Location: Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock | Map Time: 11:00 AM to 4:30 AM Fee Information: Free Contact Name: Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center Contact Email: e-mail us Contact Phone Number: 415-669-1534

Weekends and holidays, December 29, 2012, through April 28, 2013, weather permitting. Volunteer docents will be stationed at the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock from 11 am to 4:30 pm. Visitors will be able to view an elephant seal colony through park-provided binoculars and scopes. Ask the volunteer docents about the amazing adaptations and life cycles of northern elephant seals.

The Historic Chimney Rock Lifesaving Station will also be open from 11 am to 4:30 pm. Kids activities, a 10-minute video on elephant seals, and complimentary hot beverages (cocoa, tea, coffee) will be available.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the high volume of traffic out to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas during the gray whale migration, the park will be operating a shuttle bus system from the Drakes Beach parking lot (usually from New Year's weekend to Easter each year on weekends and holidays-weather permitting). Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from South Beach to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas WILL BE CLOSED during shuttle operating hours.

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