Bobcats in California in October
Yes, October is a good month to see bobcats in California. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 1,485 of the 17,900 sightings logged across the year (8.3%), 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.
Good month for bobcats in California
8.3%
of yearly sightings
1,485
records in October
#7
busiest month of 12
17,900
verified records a year
September 7.7%, October 8.3%, November 9.3%. 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, October carries 8.3% of the year's bobcats sightings, about 0 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between September and October, and it heads toward November (9.3%) after. The busiest month is January (11.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bobcats most often recorded in California are Bobcat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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.
Booking.com
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 October?+
Yes. October accounts for 1,485 of the 17,900 verified bobcats sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.3% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see bobcats in California?+
October is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though January and December is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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