Squirrels in California in July
Yes, July is a good month to see squirrels in California. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 15,440 of the 172,073 sightings logged across the year (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 squirrels in California
9%
of yearly sightings
15,440
records in July
#4
busiest month of 12
172,073
verified records a year
June 10.6%, July 9%, August 8.1%. Busiest month is April at 12.4%.
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 |
In California, July carries 9% of the year's squirrels sightings, about 0.7 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 easing off from June (10.6%) into July, and it heads toward August (8.1%) after. The busiest month is April (12.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The squirrels most often recorded in California are California Ground Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel and Western Gray Squirrel. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which squirrels you are most likely to see
- California Ground Squirrel58,513 records
- Eastern Fox Squirrel46,783 records
- Western Gray Squirrel17,683 records
- Eastern Gray Squirrel9,579 records
- Merriam's Chipmunk4,545 records
- Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel4,390 records
Plan your squirrel 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.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see squirrels in California in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 15,440 of the 172,073 verified squirrels sightings logged in California across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see squirrels in California?+
July is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for squirrels in California?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 172,073 verified observations.
Which squirrels are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are California Ground Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel and Western Gray Squirrel, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See squirrels in California in other months
More wildlife in California