Best Time to See Owls in California
May, April and June is the best time to see owls in California. Based on 46,797 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when owls are most active across the year in California.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Michael Warner CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Michael Warner CC BY
Great Gray Owl · Nigel Voaden CC BY
46,797 verified observations of owls in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in California
Peak month
May
4,877 records (10.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4,197 | 9% |
| February | 3,518 | 7.5% |
| March | 3,878 | 8.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,869 | 10.4% |
| Maypeak | 4,877 | 10.4% |
| Junepeak | 4,410 | 9.4% |
| July | 3,756 | 8% |
| August | 3,616 | 7.7% |
| September | 3,699 | 7.9% |
| October | 3,379 | 7.2% |
| November | 3,158 | 6.7% |
| December | 3,440 | 7.4% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 25,720 |
| American Barn Owl | 6,947 |
| Burrowing Owl | 6,334 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 2,756 |
| Long-eared Owl | 811 |
| Spotted Owl | 732 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 731 |
| Short-eared Owl | 581 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls sit around 40 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Mar | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Jul | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Aug | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of owls in California peak in May, when 4,877 of the year's 46,797 verified observations are logged — about 10.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is November, October and December, when owls are hardest to find — November sees just 3,158 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in California are Great Horned Owl, American Barn Owl and Burrowing Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see owls in California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in California?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 46,797 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in California?+
November is the quietest month for owls in California, with only 3,158 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in California?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in California