Raccoons in California in September
Yes, September is a good month to see raccoons in California. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,926 of the 20,216 sightings logged across the year (9.5%), 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 raccoons in California
9.5%
of yearly sightings
1,926
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
20,216
verified records a year
August 7%, September 9.5%, October 10%. 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, September carries 9.5% of the year's raccoons sightings, about 1.2 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 August (7%) into September, and it heads toward October (10%) after. The busiest month is October (10%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The raccoons most often recorded in California are Common Raccoon. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best raccoon viewing area in California.
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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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 1,926 of the 20,216 verified raccoons sightings logged in California across the year, which is 9.5% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see raccoons in California?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though October and November is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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