Mountain Lions in California in November
Yes, November is a good month to see mountain lions in California. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 458 of the 5,664 sightings logged across the year (8.1%), 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 mountain lions in California
8.1%
of yearly sightings
458
records in November
#7
busiest month of 12
5,664
verified records a year
October 9.5%, November 8.1%, December 8.2%. 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, November carries 8.1% of the year's mountain lions sightings, about 0.2 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from October (9.5%) into November, and it heads toward December (8.2%) after. The busiest month is January (12%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The mountain lions most often recorded in California are Mountain Lion. Those counts are annual totals rather than a November split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in November 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 November?+
Yes. November accounts for 458 of the 5,664 verified mountain lions sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.1% of the annual total.
Is November a good time to see mountain lions in California?+
November is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though January and October is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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