California

Point Reyes, Other Bay Area Parks Reopen After Shutdown Ends

With the end of the government shutdown, national parks across the Bay Area and the country were getting back to normal over the weekend.

On Sunday, Point Reyes National Seashore resumed full operations. The visitor center was open again, and rangers were on hand to answer questions and give advice.

One area of the park, however, is still off limits: Drake's Beach has been taken over by elephant seals.

"We now have over 50 elephant seals and at least 18 newborn pups," park spokesman John Dell'Osso said. "So, until we can get our minds around what we can do there for the public, it's going to be closed. We'll have a decision before this weekend."

Rangers say its not unusual for three or four elephant seals to show up, but the high number is very rare. They believe the so-called king tides played a role by pushing the marine mammals off the beach and further inland.

Also, a closure of the lighthouse area has been extended to Jan. 31, according to the park's website. A restoration of the lighthouse has been ongoing since last summer.

Check the park website for more details on park hours and rules.

Elsewhere in California, Yosemite National Park is set to reopen Monday, with most services operational, and Kings Canyon-Sequoia National Park will resume full operations on Tuesday.

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