1 New Years Creek Rd
Pescadero, CA

The San Francisco Peninsula is a top location for bird watching in the Bay Area! It’s easy for anyone to start bird watching — you can do it practically anywhere, and you don’t need much equipment. Whether this is your first time or you’re looking for somewhere new to explore, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best places to see birds on The San Francisco Peninsula.

Redwood City, CA

Bair Island is a 3,000-acre habitat near downtown Redwood City that offers great views of the San Francisco Bay Area and plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching. When visiting Bair Island, head down the flat trail to the Middle Bair Observation Deck, where you can expect to find a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and even harbor seals.

801-831 N Lake St
Moss Beach, CA

Located in Moss Beach along the Pacific Ocean, the rocky seashore at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is an excellent spot for watching shorebirds, as well as tide pooling! Out on the water, you may spot Brown Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, and Black Oystercatchers.

San Mateo County, CA

A popular hiking area, the sweeping views at San Bruno Mountain Park are worth a trip alone. On a clear day at the summit, you can see views of Mt. Tamalpais to the north, Mt. Diablo to the east, and the Farallon Islands to the west! This vantage point allows you to see hawks and other raptors, such as American Kestrels and Peregrine Falcons.

San Gregorio, CA

This area of wetlands supports more than 200 species of birds and protected species like the San Francisco garter snake, California red-legged frog, steelhead trout, and Coho salmon. When planning a visit to the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, be sure to bring your binoculars and take any of the trails for opportunities to see Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets. In the spring, you can also find wildflowers starting to pop up.

1 New Years Creek Rd
Pescadero, CA

Año Nuevo State Park is a popular area to see migratory birds and the breeding ground for up to 10,000 elephant seals each year! Around the ocean bluffs, coastal scrub, and dune fields, you’ll likely find Bank Swallows, California Quails, Brants, and Pelagic Cormorants, as well as California sea lions. Keep in mind that the breeding season for elephant seals is in the winter, and areas of the park may be closed or restricted to ranger-led hikes.

2500 Embarcadero Rd
Palo Alto, CA

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