Point Reyes National Seashore

California · West

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

CoastalGrasslandForest

Best Seasons

FallWinter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

September-November

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open 24 hours; visitor center 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

About This Location

Point Reyes National Seashore juts into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco, creating one of the West Coast's top birding destinations. The peninsula's diverse habitats host over 490 species, and its position makes it a magnet for rare vagrants and seabird watching.

Location

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Notable Species

Tufted Puffin Snowy Plover Northern Spotted Owl Tricolored Blackbird Black Rail

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Pacheco Lane Pond (40.8668,-124.1143)1 observed

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

3/4/2026Brookhurst Marsh1 observed

Cassin's Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

3/4/2026Brushy Peak Regional Park1 observed

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

3/4/2026Brushy Peak Regional Park10 observed

Western Cattle-Egret

Ardea ibis

3/4/2026Bayshore Bikeway--10th Street (Pond 23)2 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

3/4/2026Doris Japanese Garden1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

3/4/2026Doris Japanese Garden1 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

3/4/2026Vacation Isle1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

3/4/2026Bolsa Chica--Interpretive Center/Bolsa Bay4 observed

Costa's Hummingbird

Calypte costae

3/4/2026Poly Canyon1 observed

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri

3/4/2026Bruceville Road2 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/4/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

3/4/2026Corona Heights Park1 observed

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

3/4/2026Hwy 101 Tipus (Solana Beach)1 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

3/4/2026Susanville Effluent Ponds1 observed

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Poecile rufescens

3/4/2026Cole Rd.2 observed

Abert's Towhee

Melozone aberti

3/4/2026Indian Canyons--Murray Canyon1 observed

California Towhee

Melozone crissalis

3/4/2026Joshua Tree NP--Jumbo Rocks Campground1 observed

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

3/4/2026Joshua Tree NP--Jumbo Rocks Campground4 observed

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

3/4/2026Joshua Tree NP--Jumbo Rocks Campground4 observed

Recent Observations

Turkey Vulture

Foxdale Drive, Desert Hot Springs, California, US (33.967, -116.49)

3/4/2026

150 birds

American Crow

My yard

3/4/2026

4 birds

Bushtit

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Lesser Goldfinch

My yard

3/4/2026

8 birds

White-crowned Sparrow

My yard

3/4/2026

4 birds

House Sparrow

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

California Scrub-Jay

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

My yard

3/4/2026

15 birds

Anna's Hummingbird

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Mockingbird

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Cooper's Hawk

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cedar Waxwing

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Pygmy Nuthatch

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

4 birds

Townsend's Warbler

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

1 birds

California Towhee

Gattuso home 9515 Via Cielo, Atascadero, California, US (35.456, -120.624)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Rock Pigeon

Permanente Creek Trail

3/4/2026

6 birds

Birding Tips

1
Fall is best for rare vagrants; check the outer point
2
Visit the lighthouse area for seabird watching and whale migration

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Point Reyes Lighthouse
Tomales Bay

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Birding Guides

Winter Birding Tips: How to Bird in the Cold

7 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Point Reyes National Seashore for birding?▼

The best months to visit Point Reyes National Seashore for birding are September-November. The best seasons are Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at Point Reyes National Seashore?▼

Notable species at Point Reyes National Seashore include Tufted Puffin, Snowy Plover, Northern Spotted Owl, Tricolored Blackbird, Black Rail. The area supports coastal, grassland, forest habitats.

How difficult is birding at Point Reyes National Seashore?▼

Birding at Point Reyes National Seashore is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Point Reyes National Seashore?▼

There is no entrance fee at Point Reyes National Seashore. Hours: Open 24 hours; visitor center 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

What amenities are available at Point Reyes National Seashore?▼

Point Reyes National Seashore offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails.