Raccoons in California in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see raccoons in California. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 2,018 of the 20,216 sightings logged across the year (10%), 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 raccoons in California
10%
of yearly sightings
2,018
records in October
#1
busiest month of 12
20,216
verified records a year
September 9.5%, October 10%, November 9.9%. Busiest month is October at 10%.
20,216 verified observations of raccoons in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When raccoons are recorded in California
Peak month
October
2,018 records (10% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,952 | 9.7% |
| February | 1,689 | 8.4% |
| March | 1,511 | 7.5% |
| April | 1,718 | 8.5% |
| May | 1,500 | 7.4% |
| June | 1,447 | 7.2% |
| July | 1,329 | 6.6% |
| August | 1,406 | 7% |
| September | 1,926 | 9.5% |
| Octoberpeak | 2,018 | 10% |
| Novemberpeak | 2,008 | 9.9% |
| December | 1,712 | 8.5% |
Raccoons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Raccoon | 20,216 |
In California, October carries 10% of the year's raccoons sightings, about 1.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between September and October, and it heads toward November (9.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The raccoons most often recorded in California are Common Raccoon. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which raccoons you are most likely to see
- Common Raccoon20,216 records
Plan your raccoon 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 raccoon viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best raccoon viewing area in California.
Viator
Broader backupBook a raccoon 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 raccoons in California in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 2,018 of the 20,216 verified raccoons sightings logged in California across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see raccoons in California?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of October, November and January.
What month is best for raccoons in California?+
October is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through October, November and January, based on 20,216 verified observations.
Which raccoons are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Common Raccoon, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See raccoons in California in other months
More places to see raccoons
More wildlife in California