Are There Coyotes in Los Angeles?
Coyotes are abundant throughout Los Angeles, from urban neighborhoods to mountain canyons. They thrive in parks, residential areas, and wild spaces, adapting remarkably well to city life. Sightings are common, and coyotes are now as much a part of the LA landscape as any native wildlife. While generally shy, they require careful coexistence management.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 23, 2026.
- 1
- species recorded
- 32,765
- GBIF records
- January, April, November
- peak months
Yes, coyotes are in California. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
45,169 verified observations on iNaturalist of coyote have been recorded in California, most often in January, April, November.
When coyote are recorded in California
Coyotes are abundant throughout Los Angeles, from urban neighborhoods to mountain canyons. They thrive in parks, residential areas, and wild spaces, adapting remarkably well to city life. Sightings are common, and coyotes are now as much a part of the LA landscape as any native wildlife. While generally shy, they require careful coexistence management.
Where Coyotes Are Found in and Around Los Angeles
Coyotes inhabit virtually all areas of Los Angeles, from downtown urban neighborhoods to the surrounding mountains and foothills. Major populations thrive in Griffith Park, the Santa Monica Mountains, and Elysian Park, which provide extensive habitat and food sources. Within residential areas, coyotes are present in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Hollywood Hills, and the Hollywood area generally. They move through undeveloped canyons, ravines, and along the Los Angeles River corridor, which serves as a major wildlife corridor through the city. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and surrounding areas supports dense coyote populations. Runyon Canyon and other popular hiking areas in the Hollywood Hills are known coyote habitat. TheCalifornia wildlife guidedocuments the full range of wild species in the state. Coyotes have become as established in LA as in any North American city.
Seasonal Activity and Timing
Coyotes are active year-round in Los Angeles, with behavior varying across seasons. The breeding season from January through March involves increased howling and territorial disputes as pairs establish mating relationships. Pups are born in spring, typically April through June, and remain denned for several weeks before venturing out. Summer and fall bring dispersal of juvenile coyotes seeking their own territories, which increases sightings and encounters. Throughout fall and winter, coyotes are more visible as they forage more actively to build fat reserves for colder months, though LA winters are mild. Coyotes are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, most active at dusk, dawn, and night. However, in parks and quieter areas, they may be active during daylight. Human activity patterns influence coyote visibility, with more sightings reported during early morning and evening when both humans and coyotes are most active. For more on coyote in California, see ourCalifornia coyote guide.
How to Identify a Coyote
Coyotes are medium-sized canids typically weighing 25 to 40 pounds, larger than foxes but smaller than gray wolves. They have a lean, athletic build with long slender legs, a narrow chest, and a characteristic bushy tail that hangs straight down when running or walking. Fur color varies from gray to reddish-brown to rust, often with black markings along the back and neck. Their ears are pointed and upright, and their eyes are amber or yellow. The face is narrow with a slender muzzle, distinguishing them from domestic dogs with broader faces. Coyotes have black claws visible in their tracks and a direct-register walking pattern, meaning their hind paws step almost directly in the tracks of their front paws. Their vocalizations include yipping, howling, and barking, often in elaborate sequences that sound like multiple animals. Howling typically occurs at dawn and dusk. You can also browseCalifornia wildlife.
Where Sightings Concentrate Around Los Angeles
Coyotes are most frequently observed in Los Angeles's parks and open spaces, with hotspots including Griffith Park, which covers over 4,300 acres of wild habitat in the middle of the city. Runyon Canyon in Hollywood Hills attracts numerous sightings due to its popularity with joggers and hikers. The Santa Monica Mountains from Malibu eastward through the Hollywood Hills support some of LA's highest coyote populations. Elysian Park, overlooking downtown, has an established coyote population in its wooded areas. Mulholland Drive and the surrounding ridge areas provide excellent habitat. The Los Angeles River, particularly areas with riparian vegetation and cover, serves as a movement corridor. Urban neighborhoods with backing onto parks or undeveloped land, including Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and Hancock Park, frequently report coyote presence. Thecoyote statewide guideprovides additional details about distribution and habitat use throughout California.
Coyote Behavior and Diet
Los Angeles coyotes are opportunistic feeders that have adapted to diverse urban food sources. They primarily hunt small mammals including mice, rats, rabbits, and ground squirrels. Urban coyotes supplement their diet with fruits, vegetables, pet food, and garbage when available. Coyotes often hunt alone or in family pairs rather than large packs, and they are skilled nocturnal predators. In Los Angeles, they are relatively wary of humans and typically avoid direct contact, though habituation can occur in areas where they are frequently fed. They establish home ranges that they defend, with territories varying from 5 to 20 square miles depending on food availability. Coyotes communicate through a complex system of vocalizations, scent marking, and body language. Howling and yipping serve to reinforce pack bonds and establish territory. Their intelligence and behavioral flexibility have made them uniquely successful among carnivores in adapting to urban environments.
Coexistence and Safety
Safe coexistence with Los Angeles coyotes requires practical management of human-provided resources. Never feed coyotes, as intentional feeding creates dangerous habituation. Secure garbage in sturdy bins with locking lids, remove pet food before dusk, and keep compost piles inaccessible. Keep cats indoors and supervise small dogs at all times, particularly during dusk and dawn when coyotes are most active. Larger dogs should be on leash in parks and wild areas. If you encounter a coyote, remain calm and confident. Make yourself appear large, make noise, and back toward buildings or people. Coyotes typically retreat when given an escape route. Report aggressive or habitually bold coyotes to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Coyotes are protected by state law and harassment is illegal. TheCalifornia wildlife hubprovides additional coexistence resources for urban wildlife.
Similar Species People Confuse With Coyotes
Several canids and animals in Los Angeles can be mistaken for coyotes. Red foxes are significantly smaller, weighing only 8 to 15 pounds, with rusty-red fur, white undersides, and black legs. Gray foxes, found in LA's chaparral and mountain areas, are smaller and stockier than coyotes with gray coats and shorter legs. Feral and stray dogs vary greatly in appearance, but coyotes have narrower faces and more slender builds. Mountain lions, or cougars, are extremely rare in LA proper but inhabit the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. They are much larger and lack the bushy tail characteristic of coyotes. Juvenile coyotes can be confused with adult foxes due to their smaller size. Raccoons, particularly in dim light, might be mistaken for juvenile coyotes, though their stocky build, distinctive black face mask, and tail rings distinguish them. Learning these differences aids in proper identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have coyotes attacked people in Los Angeles? Attacks are extremely rare and unprovoked attacks on adults are virtually nonexistent. Most incidents involve habituation from feeding. What should I do if I see a coyote in my neighborhood? Remain at a safe distance, make noise, and the coyote will leave. If it does not, move toward buildings or other people. Are mountain lions common in Los Angeles? Mountain lions are rare in Los Angeles proper, though they inhabit the Santa Monica Mountains. Can I trap and relocate a coyote? Trapping and relocation of coyotes is illegal in California without special permits. For more information about living with wildlife in your area, visit thenational wildlife information hubor contact California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Gear and field guides
Conservation status, source NatureServe
Conservation rank for coyote (Coyote, Canis latrans), as assessed by NatureServe Explorer.
| Scope | NatureServe rank | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| In California | SNR | Not Yet Ranked |
| Global (rangewide) | G5 | Secure |
NatureServe ranks run from 1 (critically imperiled) to 5 (secure). See our data methodology for how this is sourced.
Plan your trip
Best time to see coyote in California: January, April, November
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your coyote sighting in California
32,765 verified coyote records have been logged in California, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in California
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- Golden Gate National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
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