Whale and Elephant Seal Season Programs
Note: Visitors wishing to attend these programs may be required to ride a shuttle bus from Drakes Beach. On the day you plan to attend one of these programs, call 415-464-5100 x2 x1 to find out whether shuttles are operating. More info on the shuttle bus system may be found on our Winter Shuttle Bus System page.
Journey of the Whales
Weekends and holidays, January through March. The time at which the program is presented changes depending on staffing levels, but usually occurs in the early afternoon, i.e. sometime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Check with Visitor Center staff or call 415-669-1534 on the day of your visit for the time of the program.
Join a Ranger to learn about gray whales as they migrate past Point Reyes. Learn about their habits and adaptations, and hope for a whale sighting from the Observation Deck. Program lasts 30 minutes.
This program is given out-of-doors. Come prepared for windy, cold and damp weather.
The program begins at the painting of the gray whale in front of the Lighthouse garages. From the Lighthouse Visitors' parking area / Shuttle Stop, walk toward the Lighthouse Visitor Center for about 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles). Look for the restrooms and garages on your left and the painting of the whale on the pavement. If the shuttles are operating, be sure to arrive at Drakes Beach at least an hour before the program start time to ride the shuttle in order to arrive at the program on time.
Historic Lifeboat Station Open House
Weekends and holidays, late-December through mid-March. Open House 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Visit a site where heroes of our coast were housed. See the historic lifeboat, view exhibits, and experience 80 years of lifesaving history at Point Reyes. Hands-on interactive activities allow both children and adults to learn about seal and whale adaptations.
Special slide programs may be available at the Historic Lifeboat Station, depending on staffing availability. Check at Visitor Centers for whether the slide program is being offered. The slide programs last about 30 minutes.
Experience Elephant Seals
Weekends and holidays, late-December through April. Docents will be stationed at the Elephant Seal Overlook from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. View an elephant seal colony through binoculars and scopes. Ask volunteer docents about the amazing adaptations and life cycles of northern elephant seals.
A special slide program about elephant seals may be available at the Lifeboat Station, depending on staffing availability. Check at Visitor Centers for whether the slide program is being offered. The slide program lasts about 30 minutes.
Experience Gray Whales
Weekends and holidays, late-December through April, weather permitting. Volunteer docents will be stationed at the Lighthouse Observation Deck from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions about gray whales. Visitors will be able to view gray whales through park-provided binoculars and scopes.
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