The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub
A dirt path through a forest with lots of trees

Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses)

California · Southwest

ModerateOfficial Site View on eBird Directions
Habitat
CoastalLake
Best Seasons
FallWinterSpring
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open daily, dawn to dusk

About This Location

Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses) is a productive birding destination in California, with 355 species recorded on eBird. This coastal and lake habitat attracts Anna's Hummingbird, American Coot, and Black Turnstone among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Anna's HummingbirdAmerican CootBlack TurnstoneHeermann's GullWestern GullRock PigeonHouse SparrowCalifornia TowheeCanada GooseMallardSurf ScoterRuddy Duck

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

5/31/2026Zmudowski SB1 observed

Cocos Booby

Sula brewsteri

5/30/2026Monterey Bay pelagic (SCZ Co., 2+ mi offshore)1 observed

Ashy Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates homochroa

5/30/2026Pt. Pinos--seawatch only1 observed

Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinus

5/30/2026Pt. Pinos--seawatch only2 observed

Hawaiian Petrel

Pterodroma sandwichensis

5/30/2026Pt. Pinos--seawatch only1 observed

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

5/30/2026Carmel Valley--Quail Lodge1 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

5/30/2026Pt. Lobos State Reserve1 observed

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

5/30/2026Toro County Park, Salinas US-CA 36.60311, -121.692831 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

5/30/2026685 Larkin Street, Monterey, California, US (36.596, -121.901)1 observed

Black Swift

Cypseloides niger

5/30/2026Rocky Pt.6 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

5/29/2026Moss Landing--Jetty Road, north jetty & State Beach1 observed

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

5/29/2026Moss Landing--Jetty Road, north jetty & State Beach1 observed

Red Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicarius

5/29/2026Moss Landing--Jetty Road, north jetty & State Beach1 observed

Brown Pelican (California)

Pelecanus occidentalis

5/29/2026Carmel Valley--Quail Lodge1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Black Oystercatcher

25/31/2026

Western Bluebird

45/31/2026

House Finch

35/31/2026

Pine Siskin

25/31/2026

Killdeer

15/31/2026

Heermann's Gull

125/31/2026

Western Gull

85/31/2026

California Gull

35/31/2026

Pied-billed Grebe

35/31/2026

Brandt's Cormorant

15/31/2026

Pelagic Cormorant

15/31/2026

Brown Pelican

15/31/2026

American Crow

35/31/2026

White-crowned Sparrow

25/31/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

25/31/2026

Surf Scoter

25/31/2026

Rhinoceros Auklet

55/31/2026

Pigeon Guillemot

35/31/2026

Common Murre

65/31/2026

Caspian Tern

15/31/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.

  2. 2

    Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.

  3. 3

    Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

  4. 4

    Arrive early in the morning for peak bird activity and to secure parking at popular viewing areas.

  5. 5

    Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.

Amenities

Parking
Trails

Nearby Attractions

  • Point Pinos Lighthouse
  • Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
  • Asilomar State Beach

More in California

Salton Sea

Desert oasis lake critical for Pacific Flyway shorebirds despite environmental challenges.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Pacific Coast peninsula with 490+ species and a magnet for rare vagrants.

Mono Lake

Ancient saline lake with millions of migratory birds and surreal tufa towers.

California Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in California →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

How to Attract Hummingbirds

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses) for birding?▼
The best months to visit Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses) for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses)?▼
Notable species at Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses) include Anna's Hummingbird, American Coot, Black Turnstone, Heermann's Gull, Western Gull, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, California Towhee, Canada Goose, Mallard, Surf Scoter, Ruddy Duck. The area supports coastal, lake habitats.
How difficult is birding at Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses)?▼
Birding at Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses) is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
Is there an entrance fee at Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses)?▼
There is no entrance fee at Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses). Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
What amenities are available at Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses)?▼
Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses) offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.