Jun 20, 2026
Theater Districti
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no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
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Region Guide
Wildlife and nature in California
Coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and rich biodiversity
California offers one of the widest ranges of habitats in the country, from Pacific coastlines and redwood forests to deserts, wetlands, and mountain parks rich in wildlife variety.
Sightings
7,397
Places
667
Species
992
Latest Sightings
Recent sightings in California
A recent look at wildlife sightings across California.
Jun 20, 2026
Blake Gardeni
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(c) Hydrocycler (Elizabeth Dougherty), some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 19, 2026
Blake Gardeni
Photo attribution
(c) D Defreese, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 19, 2026
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preservei
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 19, 2026
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preservei
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 19, 2026
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preservei
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Sightings Map
See where snaps are happening
Start wide, then zoom in to see how snaps spread across California.
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Places to Start
Parks, reserves, and local nature spots
Good starting points if you want to turn California's guide into an actual day out.
Park114 sightings7 species
California, US
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
You might spot Roxburgh Fig, Roses, and Swan-Neck Agave.
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Park92 sightings6 species
California, US
Heatherlark Park
You might spot Great Egret, Duck, and Great Blue Heron.
View place guide →
Park90 sightings7 species
California, US
Meadows Park
You might spot Bold Jumping Spider and Marbled Cellar Spider.
View place guide →
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Park77 sightings6 species
California, US
Milagra Ridge
You might spot California Phacelia and Twinberry Honeysuckle.
View place guide →
Park71 sightings8 species
California, US
Kolb Park
You might spot Duck, Great Egret, and Hooded Merganser.
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Park66 sightings8 species
California, US
Hellyer County Park
You might spot Duck, American Coot, and Canada Goose.
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Popular Species
Popular species in California
A quick look at the species showing up most often in sightings across California.
Category Guides
Check out our category guides for California
Browse birds, wildflowers, and bugs of California.
Birds
Birding in California
Browse birdlife, migration patterns, shoreline species, and the birds people are most likely to notice across California.
3,141 Sightings210 Species
View guide →
Flowers
Flowers in California
Follow native blooms, seasonal colour, and wildflower-rich places across California.
38 Sightings444 Species
View guide →
Bugs
Bugs in California
Focus on butterflies, bees, beetles, and other small species that make close-up exploring in California feel richer.
1,329 Sightings201 Species
View guide →