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Carizo Plain, San Joaquin Valley

There’s some world class mammal viewing in California. Very varied habitat (from desert to tundra), coupled with incredible scenery and some of the most productive Cetacean viewing in the world make it a top mammal watching destination. I spent only 10 or so days here in 1998 and barely scratched the surface. In 2010 I returned for a couple of days and spent a few hours at the Carizo Plains National Monument (thanks to a recommendation from Vladimiar Dinets).

Andrew Molera State Park, September 1998 – Gray Fox, Raccoon, Yuma Myotis (dozens skimming the river near the car park).

Ano Nuevo, September 1998 – California Field Vole (common along the trail to the beach), Northern Sea Lion (take a scope to find them among their more numerous Californian cousins).

Carizo Plain National Monument , April 2010 - California Ground Squirrel en route from L.A., and Nelson's Antelope Squirrels were quite easy to see in the evening in and near the park. I drove along the long park road just after dark and saw at least 1 Kit Fox on the road and more than 20 Kangaroo Rats, most of which were the quite rare Giant Kangaroo Rats. Also saw a couple of Black-tailed Jackrabbits.

Giant Kangaroo Rat, Carizo Plain

Joshua Tree National Park, September 1998 – Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Desert Cottontail, California Chipmunk, White-tailed Antelope Squirrel, Grey Fox, Sonoran Desert Pocket Mouse, Western Pipistrelle.

Lake Lopez, September 1998 - Bobcat.

Monterey, September 1998 – Monterey Bay Whale Watch offers some of the best Cetacean spotting in the world. September is one of the better times of year for diversity and numbers of species. During three 4 hour trips we had Blues, Humpbacks, and a Fin and Minke whale, Long-beaked Common and Pacific White-sided Dolphins (the former in pods of many hundred), Harbour and Dall’s Porpoise and Risso’s Dolphins. Dipped on Northern Right Whale Dolphins (not uncommon), Orcas (regular) and Baird’s Beaked Whales (seen several times most Septembers). Sea Otters and Harbour Seals are around the wharf and saw a California Ground Squirrel in town.

Point Piedras Blancas, September 1998 - Northern Elephant Seal.

Point Reyes National Seashore, September 1998 – the Black-tailed subspecies of Mule Deer (race Columbianus), and the Tule subspecies of Elk (race Nannodes).

Kit Fox, Carizo Plain

Route 1, September 1998  - This highway that leads south of Monterey, hugging the coast to near LA is stunning. Mammals include Brush Rabbit and Northern Elephant Seal.

San Francisco, September 1998  - California Sea Lions (Pier 39 in the middle of the harbour). Check out the local natural history society boat trips to the Farallone Islands to see Blue Whales in September (saw plenty of other Cetaceans too on a day trip there).

Yosemite, October 1998 – Western Gray Squirrel, Alpine Chipmunk, Douglas Squirrel, Gray Fox, Pallid Bat (roosting in the lodge), Black Bear (common wherever food is).

Other People's Trip Reports
California 2010: Coke Smith, 2 weeks and 30 species including Botta's Pocket Gopher, Kit Fox and American Badger.

South-western USA, 2009: Mike Richardson, 3 weeks in Arizona, California and Texas & 22 species including a Bobcat.

South-western USA, 2004: Steve-Anyon Smith, one month in Arizona, California and Texas & 46 mammals... including an Armadillo.