With gray whales soon to start their migration to warmer waters, and elephant seals heading to the beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore in California for breeding, the park's shuttle buses can help you get to a viewpoint with little hassle.

'œWinter 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," said Point Reyes Superintendent Cicely Muldoon.

For your planning purposes, the shuttles will begin running December 26 and continue until late March.

Additionally, the Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA) will be operating a bookstore at Drakes Beach at the site of the former café. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PRNSA will be selling merchandise as well as cold and hot drinks and snack items. Hours of operation are planned for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays along with any holidays.

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 service runs only on weekends and federal Monday holidays (Service will operate on January 1st and 2nd) in good weather.

Ticket sales open at 9:30 a.m. at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach and close at 3 p.m. Children 16 and under are free, adult tickets are $7 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. Road closures begin approximately at 9:30 a.m. and the road reopens approximately at 5:15 p.m.

If you have any questions, you can call the staff at the Bear Valley Visitor Center at (415) 464-5137.