Best Time to See Ticks in California
April, May and June is the best time to see ticks in California. Based on 13,382 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks 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 July 22, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
13,382 verified observations of ticks in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in California
Peak month
April
3,186 records (23.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 928 | 6.9% |
| February | 1,044 | 7.8% |
| March | 1,591 | 11.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,186 | 23.8% |
| Maypeak | 2,896 | 21.6% |
| Junepeak | 1,654 | 12.4% |
| July | 868 | 6.5% |
| August | 271 | 2% |
| September | 100 | 0.7% |
| October | 91 | 0.7% |
| November | 270 | 2% |
| December | 483 | 3.6% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Pacific Coast Tick | 5,106 |
| Western Black-legged Tick | 2,723 |
| American Dog Tick | 2,121 |
| Western Dog Tick | 772 |
| Brown Dog Tick | 58 |
| Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | 29 |
| Rabbit Tick | 26 |
| Pajahuello Tick | 26 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when ticks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for ticks 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 ticks in California:
Sightings of ticks in California peak in April, when 3,186 of the year's 13,382 verified observations are logged — about 23.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is October and September, when ticks are hardest to find — October sees just 91 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ticks you are most likely to encounter in California are Pacific Coast Tick, Western Black-legged Tick and American Dog Tick — 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 ticks 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in California?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 13,382 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in California?+
October is the quietest month for ticks in California, with only 91 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in California?+
Ticks 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 ticks
More wildlife in California