News Release

Shuttle Bus Transportation System Begins on December 28, 2019, as Whales and Seals Arrive!

Date: December 20, 2019
Contact: Jennifer Stock, 415-464-5135

Point Reyes National Seashore begins shuttle bus transportation service on Saturday, December 28, 2019, and will run until mid-April 2020.

Winter is an exciting time to visit Point Reyes to witness the Pacific gray whale migration as gray whales pass Point Reyes during their annual migration between Alaska and Mexico and to view the recovering populations of northern elephant seals as they return to breed at Point Reyes. "This year we are particularly excited to run the shuttle because the Lighthouse is open again after extensive renovations," says Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. Winter Wildlife Docents will be at the Lighthouse overlook, Drakes Beach, and at Chimney Rock educating visitors about gray whales and elephant seals.

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 in good weather on weekends and federal Monday holidays. In addition, the shuttles will run on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, and the Lighthouse will be open as well. Children 15 years of age and under are free; adult tickets are $7 per person and Federal Interagency Senior and Access pass discounts apply to the purchase. Ticket sales begin at 9:30 am at the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach. Pets are not allowed on Drakes Beach. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is closed to vehicle and bicycle access at the South Beach junction when the buses are operating. (Download the Winter Shuttle Bus System Map.) Vehicles with handicap parking tags will be able to travel past the closure and utilize the parking area at Chimney Rock and the accessible parking area at the Lighthouse. (Visit the Accessibility section on the Winter Shuttle Bus System page for more information.) 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.

Please visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/shuttle.htm for complete information.

For the latest information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@PointReyesNPS) and on the park's website at www.nps.gov/pore

-NPS-