Best Time to See Squirrels in California
April, May and June is the best time to see squirrels in California. Based on 172,073 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when squirrels 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.
California Ground Squirrel · smeckert CC BY
California Ground Squirrel · Adam J. Searcy CC BY
Eastern Fox Squirrel · P Holroyd CC BY
172,073 verified observations of squirrels in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels are recorded in California
Peak month
April
21,360 records (12.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9,639 | 5.6% |
| February | 11,279 | 6.6% |
| March | 14,904 | 8.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 21,360 | 12.4% |
| Maypeak | 19,888 | 11.6% |
| Junepeak | 18,188 | 10.6% |
| July | 15,440 | 9% |
| August | 14,008 | 8.1% |
| September | 15,336 | 8.9% |
| October | 13,037 | 7.6% |
| November | 10,596 | 6.2% |
| December | 8,398 | 4.9% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| California Ground Squirrel | 58,513 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 46,783 |
| Western Gray Squirrel | 17,683 |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 9,579 |
| Merriam's Chipmunk | 4,545 |
| Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 4,390 |
| Douglas's Squirrel | 4,177 |
| White-tailed Antelope Squirrel | 4,158 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when squirrels are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for squirrels 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 squirrels in California:
Sightings of squirrels in California peak in April, when 21,360 of the year's 172,073 verified observations are logged — about 12.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when squirrels are hardest to find — December sees just 8,398 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The squirrels you are most likely to encounter in California are California Ground Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel and Western Gray Squirrel — 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 squirrels 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 squirrels in California?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 172,073 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are squirrels hardest to see in California?+
December is the quietest month for squirrels in California, with only 8,398 verified records.
Are squirrels active year-round in California?+
Squirrels 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 squirrels
More wildlife in California