The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near San Jose, CA

30 birding locations within 50 miles

California · United States

30

Locations

53+

Species

10

Habitats

3

Peak Seasons

Loading map...

Birding Locations Near San Jose

Lake birding habitat

California

4.4 mi away

Moderate

Lake Cunningham

Lake birding hotspot in California with 220 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

6.0 mi away

Moderate

Ulistac Natural Area

Desert birding hotspot in California with 211 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

6.1 mi away

Easy

Los Gatos Creek County Park and Oka Ponds

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 223 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

6.3 mi away

Moderate

Santa Clara Valley Water District

Desert birding hotspot in California with 201 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

7.9 mi away

Easy

Sunnyvale Baylands Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 238 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

8.0 mi away

Moderate

Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge - Env. Ed. Center and nearby upland areas

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 224 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

8.1 mi away

Easy

Alviso Marina County Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 234 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

8.2 mi away

Moderate

Ed Levin CP - Sandy Wool-Elm areas

Desert birding hotspot in California with 206 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

8.3 mi away

Easy

Vasona Lake County Park

Lake birding hotspot in California with 216 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

9.3 mi away

Easy

Joseph D. Grant County Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 208 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

9.3 mi away

Moderate

Sunnyvale WPCP - Landfill

Desert birding hotspot in California with 201 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

9.3 mi away

Moderate

Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 255 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

11.6 mi away

Moderate

Stevens Creek Trail - north of US-101

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 214 recorded species.

River/RiparianFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

12.0 mi away

Easy

Pacific Commons Linear Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 207 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
man and woman walking on pathway near building

California

13.5 mi away

Moderate

Charleston Slough/Coast Casey Forebay

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 247 recorded species.

WetlandCoastalFallWinter
Salt marsh and water at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto California

California

14.5 mi away

Easy

Baylands Nature Preserve

1,940-acre salt marsh preserve in Palo Alto with resident Burrowing Owls and massive shorebird flocks.

WetlandMarshCoastalSpringWinter
a small bird perched on top of a tree branch

California

14.6 mi away

Moderate

Palo Alto Baylands

Desert birding hotspot in California with 274 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Salt marsh and mudflats at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

California

14.7 mi away

Easy

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

America's largest urban wildlife refuge with 280+ species and massive shorebird concentrations on San Francisco Bay.

WetlandCoastalMarshWinterSpring
Lake birding habitat

California

15.0 mi away

Moderate

Lake Elizabeth

Lake birding hotspot in California with 216 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

15.5 mi away

Moderate

Ogier Ponds

Desert birding hotspot in California with 218 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

16.9 mi away

Moderate

Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 224 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Green hills overlooking San Francisco Bay marshes at Coyote Hills Regional Park

California

18.5 mi away

Easy

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Fremont bayshore park with salt marshes, shorebirds, secretive rails, and Burrowing Owls.

WetlandMarshGrasslandWinterFall
green trees beside river during daytime

California

18.5 mi away

Easy

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 288 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

19.1 mi away

Easy

Bedwell Bayfront Park-Menlo Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 225 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

19.9 mi away

Easy

Del Valle Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 226 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

23.0 mi away

Easy

Shadow Cliffs Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

23.5 mi away

Moderate

Radio Road

Desert birding hotspot in California with 211 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

23.6 mi away

Moderate

Nob Hill Pond

Lake birding hotspot in California with 220 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

24.9 mi away

Moderate

New Brighton SB

Desert birding hotspot in California with 206 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

25.4 mi away

Moderate

Seacliff SB

Desert birding hotspot in California with 230 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter

Top Species Near San Jose

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Canada GooseNorthern ShovelerGadwallMallardRuddy DuckMourning DoveAnna's HummingbirdDouble-crested CormorantRing-necked DuckLesser ScaupBuffleheadCinnamon TealAmerican WigeonAmerican CootCommon GoldeneyeRock PigeonCalifornia QuailKilldeerTurkey VultureCommon GallinuleEurasian Collared-DoveGreen-winged TealGreater White-fronted GooseSnow GooseCanvasback+28 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Urban Park10 locations
Desert9 locations
Chaparral9 locations
Wetland7 locations
Lake4 locations
Coastal4 locations
Marsh3 locations
River/Riparian2 locations
Grassland2 locations
Salt Pond1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring29 locations
Fall28 locations
Winter30 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near San Jose, CA?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of San Jose include Lake Cunningham, Ulistac Natural Area, Los Gatos Creek County Park and Oka Ponds, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Sunnyvale Baylands Park. These spots offer lake, desert, chaparral habitats.
What birds can I see near San Jose?▼
Birders near San Jose can spot species including Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Double-crested Cormorant. The area's 10 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near San Jose?▼
The best seasons for birding near San Jose are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near San Jose?▼
There are 30 documented birding locations within 50 miles of San Jose, CA, ranging from 4.4 to 25.4 miles from the city center.

Nearby Cities

Birding Near Fremont, CA

Birding Near San Francisco, CA

Birding Near Monterey, CA

Explore California

See all birding locations across California.

All California LocationsFull Directory