Park Service Launches Shuttle to Boost Visitors, Cut Traffic Woes

By Jim Stebinger
Special to The Lookout

June 27 -- The National Park Service and other recreation agencies will inaugurate a first-ever shuttle service linking protected beaches, scenic ranches, trailheads and other sites of natural beauty in time for Independence Day, park officials announced this month.

The shuttle -- which has its inaugural run July 2 -- will link sites administered by the Park Service and state and county agencies to make the scenic areas more accessible and decrease traffic congestion, pollution and other urban woes, according to Jean Bray, a park service representative.

The service allows visitors to arrive at any one of nine park or beach stops and be shuttled to any of the other locations, Bray said.

The National Park Service considers this a historic event because it is the first time an ambitious shuttle service has been attempted in the sprawling Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), Bray said.

The area covers hundreds of square miles in two counties and crosses many agency borders. Bray estimated that up to 3.5 million people visit sites in the SMMNRA annually. Perhaps 80 percent of that number visits the local beaches, she conjectured. Visitation estimates for some of the County sides on the shuttle route are even higher.

The shuttle is an experiment that will be expanded if successful, Bray said. It is anticipated that it will run from roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and later during the long summer days. A trip to all of the stops on the shuttle buses – which are clean running diesels -- is estimated to take about 2 hours.

Among the stops on the new shuttle are the following:

• Malibu Creek State Park, a 10,000-acre expanse that offers hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife and bird watching.
  
• Tapia Park, which is inside of Malibu Creek State Park and offers oak-shaded picnic grounds.
  
• Malibu Lagoon State Beach, an 80-acre coastal wetland protected from the ocean by a barrier beach. The salty, wet soil provides habitat and food for many resident and migratory birds.
  
• Zuma and Westward beaches, the frequent backdrop for Hollywood surf and sandal epics. Visitors to Zuma swim, surf, fish dive, play volleyball and even stop to eat.
  
• Solstice Canyon is a popular daytime facility noted for alder and sycamore groves and brooks. There are 15 miles of trails, a historic homestead, views of the coastline and a stream that enters the Pacific.
  
• What is now Peter Strauss Ranch, a beautiful 79-acre site hosts music concerts, art exhibits, education programs, and special activities.

The shuttle will also drop people off at trailheads at Kanan Raod and Malibu Canyon Road. Limited parking is available at the trailhead.

Hikers and bicyclists may then hike this moderately strenuous route of the Backbone Trail between these drop off points, approximately 13 miles, or experience other trails along the route and board the shuttle at the opposite end and return. Elevation gain from Malibu Canyon Road to Castro Crest is 1,600 feet.

Although aimed at public officials and the news media, the July 2 inaugural run is open to the public. It will take place at 10 a.m. at Malibu Creek State Park.

To reach the park Take the 101 to the Las Virgenes Road exit in Calabasas. Go south for 3.25 miles. Entrance to Malibu Creek State Park is on the right. Follow signs to the dedication site. Parking fees will be waived for the event if you tell the parking attendant you are attending the inaugural.

According to the National Park Service, the SMNRA is home to 26 distinct natural communities, from freshwater aquatic habitats and coastal lagoons to oak woodlands, valley oak savanna and chaparral.

The recreation area is a critical haven for more than 450 animal species, including mountain lions, bobcats and golden eagles. It is also home to 26 endangered species.

The recreation area is 235 square miles and 92 permanent employees and 11 seasonal workers. About 1,200 volunteers donated approximately 40,000 hours to the park in 2003.