California: Central and Southern

Pinnacles National Park, The Coast, Santa Cruz Island, the Salton Sea, and the Mojave Desert

California Condors at Pinnacles National Park
California Condors at Pinnacles National Park
California Condors flying over the ridge at Pinnacles National Park
California Condors flying over the ridge at Pinnacles National Park
Heading to Santa Cruz Island
Heading to Santa Cruz Island
Parasitic Jaegers in pursuit of an Elegant Tern, seen from the boat on our way to Santa Cruz Island.
Parasitic Jaegers in pursuit of an Elegant Tern, seen from the boat on our way to Santa Cruz Island.
The Island Fox is endemic to the Santa Cruz Islands.
The Island Fox is endemic to the Santa Cruz Islands.
The Island Scrub-Jay is endemic to Santa Cruz Island.
The Island Scrub-Jay is endemic to Santa Cruz Island.
Three Marbled Godwits (with a Whimbrel in the background) at Malibu Lagoon.
Three Marbled Godwits (with a Whimbrel in the background) at Malibu Lagoon.
Birding at Malibu Lagoon.
Birding at Malibu Lagoon.
Snowy Plover found at Malibu Lagoon.
Snowy Plover found at Malibu Lagoon.
California Thrasher, an endemic to California, found at Crystal Cove State Park.
California Thrasher, an endemic to California, found at Crystal Cove State Park.
California Gnatcatcher, an endemic to California, found at Crystal Cove State Park.
California Gnatcatcher, an endemic to California, found at Crystal Cove State Park.
Birding the rocks from the Laguna Beach overlook.
Birding the rocks from the Laguna Beach overlook.
This Burrowing Owls was found on the south end of the Salton Sea.
This Burrowing Owls was found on the south end of the Salton Sea.
Ridgeway's Rail found in the marsh near the Salton Sea.
Ridgeway's Rail found in the marsh near the Salton Sea.
Birding the Salton Sea.
Birding the Salton Sea.
Thousands of White-faced Ibis at the Salton Sea.
Thousands of White-faced Ibis at the Salton Sea.
The Yellow-footed Gull is a rarity the Salton Sea, but is endemic to the Gulf of California.
The Yellow-footed Gull is a rarity the Salton Sea, but is endemic to the Gulf of California.
White-headed Woodpecker found in the mountains east of Los Angeles.
White-headed Woodpecker found in the mountains east of Los Angeles.
Bell's Sparrow, found in the lowlands east of Los Angeles.
Bell's Sparrow, found in the lowlands east of Los Angeles.
LeConte's Thrasher, a scarce find in the lowlands east of Los Angeles.
LeConte's Thrasher, a scarce find in the lowlands east of Los Angeles.
Photo credit: Jon Dunn and Jon Feenstra
2025 Tour Price
$7,190
2025
Single Supplement $1,550
This tour is limited to ten participants with two leaders.
Tour balances paid by check/bank transfer may carry a 4% discount

Central and Southern California may call to mind rampant development and crowds of people, but in fact it has many areas that are both wild and beautiful. Our tour focuses on birds that are difficult or impossible to see elsewhere in the United States. These include California Condor and the endemic Island Scrub-Jay and Yellow-billed Magpie, but there are many other species that occur primarily (and are easiest to find) in California. The tour takes place when fall migration for many species is at its peak.

We’ll visit the coast and Santa Cruz Island northwest of Los Angeles, coastal areas south of Los Angeles, the legendary Salton Sea, the high conifer forests in the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Mojave Desert.

Tour Team
Itinerary (Click to see more)
Tour Information (Click to see more)
Map (Click to see more)
Narrative (Click to see more)
Testimonials (Click to see more)
Tour Notes

The itinerary for Days 5-7 and 13-14 may differ slightly depending on the boat schedules to Santa Cruz Island and the pelagic out of San Diego.  However, the elements of the tour will remain the same.

 

 

This tour is limited to ten participants with two leaders.

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