Southern California: Sea, mountains, and desert

This tour focuses on the southern third of the state, where the winters are warm and full of great birds. The trip will see many of the common and widespread specialties of California like California Scrub-Jay as well as endangered species like California Gnatcatcher, and endemics like Yellow-billed Magpie. We will also search out highly localized species like the Island Scrub-Jay, and uncommon birds like Lawrence’s Goldfinch. We will also be on the lookout for more widespread specialties of the region, including California Condor, LeConte’s Thrasher, Mountain Quail, and all of the countable exotic birds.

The trip will also feature many Pacific coast species including Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants, and Pacific Loon. We will also have the possibility for pelagic species on the boat ride to Santa Cruz Island.

Itineraries will be updated with plenty of time before the next departure. Our itineraries usually show minimal changes between years, but some substantive updates can occur as birding access and information evolves. For any specific questions regarding these trips, please contact us.

SCROLL THROUGH OUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PHOTO GALLERY BELOW

Montezuma Quail made the Top 5 Birds of the Trip lists on both of our recent Texas Hill Country & Big Bend tours. With views like this at the feeders in Davis Mountains State Park, it's no wonder. We've been running this trip since 2017 and this
What do these four birds have in common (besides being awesome)? Can you guess the theme and name of Chicago's first ever birding festival based on these four birds together? Find out on May 10!
A delightfully common resident in Western Mexico, we had daily sightings of this Yellow Grosbeak while staying at Rancho Primavera in the beautiful hills south of Puerto Vallarta. 📸 by Red Hill Birding guide @adamwardsell #redhillbirding #birdi
Red Hill Birding is taking on Texas for the rest of the month. Josh is running our Hill Country & Big Bend tour, which includes witnessing the incredible Mexican Free-tailed Bat emergence at the Frio Bat Cave! Steve is soaking spring migration a