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Monterey, California, is one of the most naturally beautiful spots in America. The sea otters, sea lions, seals, and dolphins spotted here certainly get the attention they deserve. However, the sandy shores and rocky outcroppings here also attract an eclectic variety of birds. You don't want to miss the chance to see majestic brown pelicans, black-footed albatrosses, common murres, egrets, shearwaters, falcons, and the many other bird species that call this gilded coast home! Keep this guide to the best places to go bird watching in Monterey handy as you set out on your adventure.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Tucked between the Carmel highlands and Big Sur, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is one of the richest spots for wildlife sightings in all of California. You'll discover quite a collection of land birds and seabirds here. The birds most commonly spotted include blue herons, egrets, double-crested cormorants, acorn woodpeckers, California thrashers, song sparrows, swallows, Cooper's hawks, and brown pelicans. The rare and endangered California condor is also sometimes spotted swooping over the landscape at Point Lobos. For the best chance of spotting birds, follow the Point Lobos Bird Island Trail. The 0.8-mile loop begins at the reserve's southernmost parking area. As you pursue glimpses of the Monterey area's bird populations, you'll pass through rocky shoreline, coastal scrub, and pine forest. The trail also provides access to Gibson Beach.
Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing
Considered one of the last great bastions of biodiversity in California, Elkhorn Slough is a true cradle of wilderness in Monterey Bay and also one of the top spots for bird watching! As an expansive coastal wetland, Elkhorn Slough provides tidal marshes and oak-veiled ridges that create natural habitats for creatures who find their homes at the joining of land and sea. The exciting thing about visiting is that you can choose between several walking paths spanning miles or waterways that are accessible by boat or kayak. Notably, Elkhorn Slough is home to 16 threatened and endangered species.
Elkhorn Slough's 2,500 acres of marshland provide homes to 340 resident and migratory bird species. The National Audubon Society formally recognizes Elkhorn Slough as an Important Bird Area. For visitors, it's quite common to spot nesting birds such as the oak titmouse, white-tailed kite, red-shouldered hawk, barn owl, acorn woodpecker, chestnut-backed chickadee, and swallows.
Andrew Molera State Park
Big Sur's biggest state park has some big birding potential! Andrew Molera State Park is uniquely raw and undeveloped compared to other state parks. The miles of scenic trails that run through meadows and coastal terrain hug the habitat-rich Big Sur River. Many visitors find that the park is especially rewarding for spotting raptors and other large birds. Even the elusive California condor can be seen soaring along the coast. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and white-tailed kites are also spotted in the park.
Planning a Perfect Day in Nature in Monterey
Amazing views and once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities await on California's beautifully rugged coast! It should come as no surprise that many of the best places to go bird watching in Monterey can be paired with nature-filled day trips near Monterey that bring you through tidal wonderlands few ever get to see with their own eyes. For the curious visitor, that means endless opportunities to see unique terrain and spot rare wildlife in habitats spanning the land, sea, and sky.
