Squirrels in California in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see squirrels in California. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 19,888 of the 172,073 sightings logged across the year (11.6%), 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 squirrels in California
11.6%
of yearly sightings
19,888
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
172,073
verified records a year
April 12.4%, May 11.6%, June 10.6%. 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, May carries 11.6% of the year's squirrels sightings, about 3.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (10.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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.
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 squirrel viewing area.
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Broader backupBook a squirrel tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see squirrels in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 19,888 of the 172,073 verified squirrels sightings logged in California across the year, which is 11.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see squirrels in California?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
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