The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near Monterey, CA

30 birding locations within 50 miles

California · United States

30

Locations

62+

Species

8

Habitats

3

Peak Seasons

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Birding Locations Near Monterey

Lake birding habitat

California

< 1 mi away

Moderate

Monterey - El Estero Lake and/or Monterey cemeteries

Lake birding hotspot in California with 224 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
A flock of swans are swimming in the water

California

2.1 mi away

Easy

Laguna Grande Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 268 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

2.9 mi away

Moderate

Asilomar SB - sandy beach only

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 219 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
A dirt path through a forest with lots of trees

California

3.3 mi away

Moderate

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

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 355 recorded species.

CoastalLakeFallWinter
a bird flying over a dry grass field

California

3.4 mi away

Moderate

Point Pinos - seawatch only

Desert birding hotspot in California with 287 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

4.4 mi away

Moderate

Palo Corona RP - Rancho Cañada & South Bank Trail

Desert birding hotspot in California with 200 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

4.4 mi away

Moderate

Carmel River - Hwy 1 riparian (wading) and/or permit-only Odello

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 297 recorded species.

River/RiparianFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

4.8 mi away

Moderate

Carmel River SB (beach, lagoon, and/or Cross Hill)

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 291 recorded species.

WetlandCoastalRiver/RiparianFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

6.4 mi away

Moderate

Point Lobos State Reserve

Desert birding hotspot in California with 248 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

8.1 mi away

Easy

Locke-Paddon Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

10.6 mi away

Moderate

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 268 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

14.7 mi away

Moderate

Moss Landing Marine Lab

Desert birding hotspot in California with 205 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
a dirt path in the middle of a desert

California

15.9 mi away

Moderate

Moss Landing - Jetty Road, north jetty & State Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 276 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

16.2 mi away

Moderate

Moonglow Dairy (Fri-Sun only; closed Mon-Thur)

Desert birding hotspot in California with 298 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

17.2 mi away

Moderate

Zmudowski SB

Desert birding hotspot in California with 254 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Tidal wetlands and mudflats at Elkhorn Slough with shorebirds

California

17.2 mi away

Easy

Elkhorn Slough

Major California coastal wetland on Monterey Bay with 340+ bird species.

WetlandCoastalMarshWinterSpring
Wetland birding habitat

California

17.4 mi away

Moderate

Elkhorn Slough Reserve

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 264 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

18.6 mi away

Easy

Elkhorn Slough - Estrada & North marsh and/or Kirby Park

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 224 recorded species.

WetlandUrban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

18.7 mi away

Moderate

Pajaro Dunes - general area (closed to birders as of 2024)

Desert birding hotspot in California with 246 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

20.3 mi away

Moderate

Sunset SB

Desert birding hotspot in California with 233 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

20.7 mi away

Easy

CARE Park (Pajaro River Picnic Area) and wastewater treatment facility

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 215 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkFallWinter
a sandy beach next to the ocean surrounded by trees

California

22.1 mi away

Easy

Andrew Molera State Park - Big Sur River mouth

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 363 recorded species.

River/RiparianFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

22.1 mi away

Moderate

Harkins Slough

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 229 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

25.3 mi away

Moderate

College Lake

Lake birding hotspot in California with 244 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

25.4 mi away

Moderate

Corcoran Lagoon

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 225 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

25.7 mi away

Moderate

Seacliff SB

Desert birding hotspot in California with 230 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

25.8 mi away

Easy

Pinto Lake County Park

Lake birding hotspot in California with 222 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

25.9 mi away

Moderate

Natural Bridges SB

Desert birding hotspot in California with 292 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

26.2 mi away

Moderate

Neary Lagoon

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 249 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

26.2 mi away

Moderate

Antonelli Pond

Lake birding hotspot in California with 257 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter

Top Species Near Monterey

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Canada GooseMallardRuddy DuckAnna's HummingbirdAmerican CootRock PigeonHouse SparrowCalifornia TowheeTurkey VultureRed-tailed HawkAmerican CrowBushtitBrewer's BlackbirdHudsonian WhimbrelWestern GullBlack-bellied PloverWestern GrebeBarn SwallowBlack TurnstoneHeermann's GullSurf ScoterBlack OystercatcherRed PhalaropeCalifornia QuailEurasian Collared-Dove+37 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Desert10 locations
Chaparral10 locations
Wetland8 locations
Lake5 locations
Urban Park5 locations
Coastal5 locations
River/Riparian5 locations
Marsh1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring30 locations
Fall29 locations
Winter30 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near Monterey, CA?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of Monterey include Monterey - El Estero Lake and/or Monterey cemeteries, Laguna Grande Park, Asilomar SB - sandy beach only, Point Pinos - general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses), Point Pinos - seawatch only. These spots offer lake, urban park, coastal habitats.
What birds can I see near Monterey?▼
Birders near Monterey can spot species including Canada Goose, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Anna's Hummingbird, American Coot, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, California Towhee. The area's 8 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near Monterey?▼
The best seasons for birding near Monterey are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near Monterey?▼
There are 30 documented birding locations within 50 miles of Monterey, CA, ranging from 0.6 to 26.2 miles from the city center.

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