Octopus in California in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see octopus in California. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 920 of the 8,160 sightings logged across the year (11.3%), 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.
Peak month for octopus in California
11.3%
of yearly sightings
920
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
8,160
verified records a year
November 11.3%, December 11.3%, January 12.2%. Busiest month is January at 12.2%.
8,160 verified observations of octopus in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When octopus are recorded in California
Peak month
January
992 records (12.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 992 | 12.2% |
| February | 612 | 7.5% |
| March | 444 | 5.4% |
| April | 497 | 6.1% |
| May | 615 | 7.5% |
| June | 752 | 9.2% |
| July | 602 | 7.4% |
| August | 623 | 7.6% |
| September | 559 | 6.9% |
| October | 622 | 7.6% |
| Novemberpeak | 922 | 11.3% |
| Decemberpeak | 920 | 11.3% |
Octopus you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Lesser Two-spot Octopus | 4,082 |
| East Pacific Red Octopus | 2,442 |
| Giant Pacific Octopus | 226 |
| California Lilliput Octopus | 78 |
| Verrill's Two-spot Octopus | 44 |
| Greater Argonaut | 32 |
| Noury's Argonaut | 3 |
| Southern Red Octopus | 2 |
In California, December carries 11.3% of the year's octopus sightings, about 3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (12.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The octopus most often recorded in California are Lesser Two-spot Octopus, East Pacific Red Octopus and Giant Pacific Octopus. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which octopus you are most likely to see
- Lesser Two-spot Octopus4,082 records
- East Pacific Red Octopus2,442 records
- Giant Pacific Octopus226 records
- California Lilliput Octopus78 records
- Verrill's Two-spot Octopus44 records
- Greater Argonaut32 records
Plan your octopus 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 octopus viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best octopus viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a octopus 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 octopus in California in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 920 of the 8,160 verified octopus sightings logged in California across the year, which is 11.3% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see octopus in California?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, November and December.
What month is best for octopus in California?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, November and December, based on 8,160 verified observations.
Which octopus are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Lesser Two-spot Octopus, East Pacific Red Octopus and Giant Pacific Octopus, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See octopus in California in other months
More wildlife in California