Mountain Lions in California in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see mountain lions in California. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 680 of the 5,664 sightings logged across the year (12%), 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 mountain lions in California
12%
of yearly sightings
680
records in January
#1
busiest month of 12
5,664
verified records a year
December 8.2%, January 12%, February 8.6%. Busiest month is January at 12%.
5,664 verified observations of mountain lions in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mountain lions are recorded in California
Peak month
January
680 records (12% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 680 | 12% |
| February | 489 | 8.6% |
| March | 507 | 9% |
| Aprilpeak | 516 | 9.1% |
| May | 434 | 7.7% |
| June | 373 | 6.6% |
| July | 373 | 6.6% |
| August | 400 | 7.1% |
| September | 429 | 7.6% |
| Octoberpeak | 539 | 9.5% |
| November | 458 | 8.1% |
| December | 466 | 8.2% |
Mountain Lions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mountain Lion | 5,664 |
In California, January carries 12% of the year's mountain lions sightings, about 3.7 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 (8.2%) into January, and it heads toward February (8.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The mountain lions most often recorded in California are Mountain Lion. 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 mountain lions you are most likely to see
- Mountain Lion5,664 records
Plan your mountain lion 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 mountain lion viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best mountain lion viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a mountain lion 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 mountain lions in California in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 680 of the 5,664 verified mountain lions sightings logged in California across the year, which is 12% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see mountain lions in California?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, October and April.
What month is best for mountain lions in California?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, October and April, based on 5,664 verified observations.
Which mountain lions are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Mountain Lion, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See mountain lions in California in other months
More wildlife in California