State guide
When to catch California'snatural highlights
When is the best time to see nature in California?
California's peaks belong to places, not to the state: Point Reyes' whales in mid-January and mid-March, Yosemite's waterfall runoff in May or June and its fall color in late October. Choose one below, then the region and the event guide.
Checked Sep 29. Sources: National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore: Frequently Asked Questions ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Yosemite: Waterfalls ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Fall color in Yosemite ↗ (opens in a new tab) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.
The peaks through the year
- Gray whales heading south · Point Reyes
mid-January
The southbound migration, from Alaska to Baja California
“The gray whales migrate south from Alaska to Baja California, with peak viewing in mid-January.”
- Gray whales heading north · Point Reyes
mid-March
The northbound migration; mothers and calves follow close to shore in April
“Mid-March is peak viewing for the northern migration, with mothers and calves often passing very close to shore in April.”
- Elephant seals · Point Reyes
December through March
The Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock; seals are there all year
“While elephant seals may be viewed from the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock year-round, they are most numerous from December through March during the pupping and mating season.”
- Waterfall runoff · Yosemite
May or June
The park's waterfalls as a whole; each fall has its own flow season
“Peak runoff typically happens in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August”
- Fall color · Yosemite
late October
Yosemite; the color often lingers until the first heavy storms or hard frosts
“Usually in late October and, generally, lingering until the first heavy winter storms or hard frosts often in early December.”
On one calendar
- Gray whales heading southBest viewing: mid-January
- Gray whales heading northBest viewing: mid-March
- Elephant sealsMost numerous: December through March
- Waterfall runoffUsual peak: May or June
- Fall colorUsual peak: late October
Solid: a usual peak, the best viewing time or when animals are most numerous. Hatched: a broader season, never a peak.
Pick a part of California
North Coast and Coast Ranges
- Point ReyesWildflowers · Winter wildlife
- PinnaclesWildflowers
Sierra Nevada
- YosemiteFall foliage · Wildflowers · Spring waterfalls
- Kaiser Pass RoadFall foliage
Northern mountains
- Mount ShastaFall foliage
- Hat Creek RimFall foliage
- Lassen VolcanicWildflowers
- Lava BedsWildflowers
- WhiskeytownWildflowers
Central Valley refuges
- Sacramento RefugeWinter wildlife
- San Luis RefugeWildflowers · Winter wildlife
- Merced RefugeWinter wildlife
- San Joaquin River RefugeWinter wildlife
Deserts and dry plains
- Death ValleyDesert superbloom
- Joshua TreeDesert superbloom
- Carrizo PlainDesert superbloom
California on one map
Browse by season and event
- Fall foliage · 4 places hereIn California →Everywhere →
- Spring waterfalls · 1 place hereEverywhere →
- Desert superbloom · 3 places hereEverywhere →
- Wildflowers · 10 places hereIn California →Everywhere →
- Wildlife by season · 3 places hereIn California →Everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 8 places hereIn California →Everywhere →
Park guides and towns to stay in
California in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see gray whales in California?
We follow them at Point Reyes, where southbound whales are best seen in mid-January and northbound whales in mid-March.Source: National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore: Frequently Asked Questions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When are Yosemite's waterfalls at their best?
Runoff usually peaks in May or June; by August some falls are often a trickle or dry.Source: National Park Service, Yosemite: Waterfalls ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there one best month for all of California?
No. Each peak on this page belongs to its own place and source, and they fall in different months.Sources: National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore: Frequently Asked Questions ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Yosemite: Waterfalls ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Fall color in Yosemite ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How we know
- Sep 28Park ServiceWhale peak viewing months, best whale spots, lighthouse access and dog rulesSource (opens National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore: Frequently Asked Questions in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceWhen Yosemite's waterfalls flow and peak, and where to see each oneSource (opens National Park Service, Yosemite: Waterfalls in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceColor is usually at its height in late October, lingering until the first heavy storms or hard frostsSource (opens National Park Service, Fall color in Yosemite in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.