Bears in California in September
Yes, September is a good month to see bears in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 1,273 of the 11,158 sightings logged across the year (11.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Good month for bears in California
11.4%
of yearly sightings
1,273
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
11,158
verified records a year
August 15%, September 11.4%, October 9%. Busiest month is June at 16.9%.
11,158 verified observations of bears in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in California
Peak month
June
1,885 records (16.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 194 | 1.7% |
| February | 159 | 1.4% |
| March | 323 | 2.9% |
| April | 664 | 6% |
| May | 1,367 | 12.3% |
| Junepeak | 1,885 | 16.9% |
| Julypeak | 1,613 | 14.5% |
| Augustpeak | 1,670 | 15% |
| September | 1,273 | 11.4% |
| October | 1,007 | 9% |
| November | 677 | 6.1% |
| December | 326 | 2.9% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 11,158 |
In California, September carries 11.4% of the year's bears sightings, about 3.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (15%) into September, and it heads toward October (9%) after. The busiest month is June (16.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in California are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear11,158 records
Plan your bear trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in California.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bear tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in California in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 1,273 of the 11,158 verified bears sightings logged in California across the year, which is 11.4% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bears in California?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bears in California?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, August and July, based on 11,158 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in California in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in California