Pelicans in California in May
Yes, May is a good month to see pelicans in California. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 5,770 of the 64,481 sightings logged across the year (8.9%), 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 pelicans in California
8.9%
of yearly sightings
5,770
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
64,481
verified records a year
April 7.5%, May 8.9%, June 8.7%. Busiest month is September at 9.6%.
64,481 verified observations of pelicans in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in California
Peak month
September
6,173 records (9.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5,065 | 7.9% |
| February | 4,067 | 6.3% |
| March | 4,440 | 6.9% |
| April | 4,818 | 7.5% |
| May | 5,770 | 8.9% |
| June | 5,606 | 8.7% |
| July | 5,675 | 8.8% |
| Augustpeak | 5,925 | 9.2% |
| Septemberpeak | 6,173 | 9.6% |
| October | 5,579 | 8.7% |
| Novemberpeak | 5,843 | 9.1% |
| December | 5,520 | 8.6% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 44,678 |
| American White Pelican | 19,670 |
| Great White Pelican | 1 |
In California, May carries 8.9% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 0.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.7%) after. The busiest month is September (9.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in California are Brown Pelican, American White Pelican and Great White Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which pelicans you are most likely to see
- Brown Pelican44,678 records
- American White Pelican19,670 records
- Great White Pelican1 records
Plan your pelican 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 pelican viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a pelican 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 pelicans in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5,770 of the 64,481 verified pelicans sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see pelicans in California?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though September and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for pelicans in California?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, August and November, based on 64,481 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Brown Pelican, American White Pelican and Great White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in California in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in California