Best Time to See Rabbits in California
April, May and June is the best time to see rabbits in California. Based on 63,869 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when rabbits 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 June 28, 2026.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit · Public domain CC0
Black-tailed Jackrabbit · Forest Botial-Jarvis CC BY
Black-tailed Jackrabbit · Christoph Moning CC BY
63,869 verified observations of rabbits in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When rabbits are recorded in California
Peak month
April
9,520 records (14.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3,594 | 5.6% |
| February | 4,362 | 6.8% |
| March | 6,591 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 9,520 | 14.9% |
| Maypeak | 9,302 | 14.6% |
| Junepeak | 7,858 | 12.3% |
| July | 5,686 | 8.9% |
| August | 4,411 | 6.9% |
| September | 4,098 | 6.4% |
| October | 3,162 | 5% |
| November | 2,755 | 4.3% |
| December | 2,530 | 4% |
Rabbits you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Desert Cottontail | 32,789 |
| Brush Rabbit | 12,298 |
| Black-tailed Jackrabbit | 11,964 |
| European Rabbit | 413 |
| Mountain Cottontail | 350 |
| White-tailed Jackrabbit | 182 |
| Snowshoe Hare | 174 |
| Pygmy Rabbit | 5 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when rabbits are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for rabbits 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.
More on rabbits in California:
Sightings of rabbits in California peak in April, when 9,520 of the year's 63,869 verified observations are logged — about 14.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is December, November and October, when rabbits are hardest to find — December sees just 2,530 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The rabbits you are most likely to encounter in California are Desert Cottontail, Brush Rabbit and Black-tailed Jackrabbit — 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 rabbits 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see rabbits in California?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 63,869 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are rabbits hardest to see in California?+
December is the quietest month for rabbits in California, with only 2,530 verified records.
Are rabbits active year-round in California?+
Rabbits are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see rabbits
More wildlife in California