FRIDAY FIVE
Have you heard that we’re in a government shutdown? It has only been dominating news headlines for the last three weeks, so chances are you know about it, or you’ve been living under a rock. The impact may feel impalpable to those in the Bay Area, especially if you’re not a federal worker, but as the days stretch on, more effects are being felt by all. As long as it continues this weekend, there are a few activities you’ll have to miss out on.
1. Muir Woods National Monument
At first, Muir Woods managed to be one of the sites within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to remain open. But this Monday, on January 7, it became another victim of the shutdown. This means no parking, bathrooms or visitor services will be available or staffed at Muir Woods. The fence to the entrance isn’t open (although someone had threatened to jump it). Don’t fret if you bought a ticket in advance, though. According to the NPS, “Your reservation will be automatically refunded if you purchased parking or shuttle reservations for the duration of the closure.”
2. Some Parts of Yosemite
If you had weekend plans to escape to Yosemite, you might want to reconsider, because only parts of the park are open. According to NPS, the following areas are closed due to “human-waste issues” (yes, you read that correctly) and a lack of staffing: Mariposa, Tuolumne and Merced Groves (all sequoia groves); Hetch Hetchy, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow Campgrounds; Mist and John Muir Trails; and all snow play areas. The entrance stations are open but unstaffed, and the visitor centers are also closed.
3. Alcatraz Night Tours
The popular excursion for tourists, a tour of Alcatraz at night, has been closed since the beginning of the shutdown. The daytime tours are still operating. Each year more than one million people go to Alcatraz, and while it isn’t completely closed, the lack of night tours will likely impact its business. As the NPS explains, “Alcatraz Island will remain open indefinitely for day programming, though there is limited National Park Service staff interpretation, and night tours are canceled.”
4. Point Bonita Lighthouse
The Point Bonita lighthouse is described by the National Park Service as a “secret jewel of the Bay Area.” It was built in 1855 and was the third lighthouse on the West Coast. Sadly, it is not open during the government shutdown either, in addition to the Nike Missile Site and the Marin Headlands Visitor Center.
5. Point Reyes
Point Reyes National Seashore was supposed to be unaffected by the shutdown, but that has since changed because a buildup of human waste has become so hazardous that parts of the park have closed. According to Mercury News, in the southern end of the park, “the pit toilets had become ‘incapacitated,’ and the garbage bins full.” Apparently, the shutdown has prevented the park from continuing its contract sewage-pump services. Many are volunteering their time to pick up the trash, but still various areas remain closed due to health hazards.
Hey! The Bold Italic recently launched a podcast, This Is Your Life in Silicon Valley. Check out the full season or listen to the episode below featuring Alexia Tsotsis, former co-editor of TechCrunch. More coming soon, so stay tuned!
