Seattle to San Francisco route: Best birding spots in Northern California (1 Viewer)

[kilianwasmer]

Hello everyone,

We’re planning a three-week road trip by rental car starting mid-August, traveling from Seattle to San Francisco. Our route should cover the coast, the Cascade Range, and, if possible, the dry areas just east of the range. Along the way, we plan to go birdwatching, day-hike and explore nature. Our goal is to camp and ideally spend at least two night at each camp site.

Since we’ll only be spending about a week in Northern California, I’m looking for recommendations on the best birding spots in this area during that time. Any advice on MUST-visit locations (variety of habitats, not only seabirds) would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Montereyman]

Don't overlook the Portland area and the Oregon birding route. In northern CA the seashore areas around Eureka are a good bet but going further south one needs to be in the eastern part of the state. Check the ebird.org hotspots for specifics for SF Bay areas. Drive times can be horrendous on weekdays. Palo Alto Baylands are good for shorebirds as is the Oakland area.

 

[Mendobirder]

August is a tough month for birding in NorCal. Inland gets really hot, and it's between breeding and migration, so most birds are just kind of resting up and molting etc before starting migration. They don't sing much and aren't feeding young, so the woods get quiet and feel empty. Your best bet is the coast, as shorebirds migration will be well under way, with some still in breeding plumage; and the weather is much more tolerable. Humboldt Bay is a great place to find them and has a number of excellent birding spots - you could easily spend a few days there. If you want a guide, Rob Fowler is excellent.

If you are interested in seabirding you can probably catch a pelagic; we have trips scheduled off the Mendocino coast August 15 (all-day) and 17 (half-day). There are also trips out of Eureka (Humboldt Co) on 9 and 24 August. If boats aren't your thing or the dates don't work, seawatching from promontories can be productive on certain days; August often brings massive flocks of Sooty Shearwaters. But be warned, here on the Mendocino coast we call it "Fogust"...

 

[Mendobirder]

I'd say three spots to hit in a week on the NorCal coast would be Crescent City, Humboldt Bay, and Bodega Bay or Point Reyes.
At CC there's a possibility of Puffins off Castle Rock, if it's not smothered in fog. Several other good spots in the area.
The drive down the coast from CC to Humboldt is spectacular and there are some good stops: Su-Meg SP, Trinidad, Prairie Creek, Redwoods NP.
Humboldt Bay is easily a three-day stop. Arcata Marsh, Mad River, North Spit, Humboldt Bay NWR, South Spit, and many more hotspots, all well birded.
Point Reyes is famous as one of the greatest migration hotspots on the west coast. August might be too early for most of the action but it's still good. Bodega Bay likewise, and both can attract a lot of migrating shorebirds.
The Marin Headlands includes a famous hawkwatch site, Hawk Hill, and by late August the Accipiters will be on the move. In September-October that place can be amazing. It's also a good place to pick up some chaparral-habitat birds like Blue-gray Gnatcatcher or Rufous-crowned Sparrow.