Bobcats in California in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see bobcats in California. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 2,010 of the 17,900 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for bobcats in California
11.2%
of yearly sightings
2,010
records in January
#1
busiest month of 12
17,900
verified records a year
December 9.9%, January 11.2%, February 9.4%. Busiest month is January at 11.2%.
17,900 verified observations of bobcats in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bobcats are recorded in California
Peak month
January
2,010 records (11.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,010 | 11.2% |
| Februarypeak | 1,684 | 9.4% |
| March | 1,612 | 9% |
| April | 1,593 | 8.9% |
| May | 1,401 | 7.8% |
| June | 1,129 | 6.3% |
| July | 993 | 5.5% |
| August | 1,179 | 6.6% |
| September | 1,371 | 7.7% |
| October | 1,485 | 8.3% |
| November | 1,665 | 9.3% |
| Decemberpeak | 1,778 | 9.9% |
Bobcats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | 17,900 |
In California, January carries 11.2% of the year's bobcats sightings, about 2.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (9.9%) into January, and it heads toward February (9.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bobcats most often recorded in California are Bobcat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which bobcats you are most likely to see
- Bobcat17,900 records
Plan your bobcat 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 bobcat viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bobcat viewing area in California.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bobcat tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bobcats in California in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 2,010 of the 17,900 verified bobcats sightings logged in California across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see bobcats in California?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, December and February.
What month is best for bobcats in California?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, December and February, based on 17,900 verified observations.
Which bobcats are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Bobcat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bobcats in California in other months
More places to see bobcats
More wildlife in California