Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate

California · Southwest

ModerateView on eBird

Habitat

DesertChaparral

Best Seasons

FallWinterSpring

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate is a productive birding destination in California, with 222 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, and American Wigeon among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Greater White-fronted Goose Canada Goose American Wigeon Mallard Greater Scaup

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Setophaga nigrescens

3/6/2026Golden Gate Park--Elk Glen Lake1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/6/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/6/2026Coyote Point County Park1 observed

Williamson's Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

3/6/2026University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley US-CA (37.8675,-122.2612)1 observed

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

3/6/2026Golden Gate Park--McLaren Lodge/Horseshoe Pits/Northeast Entrance1 observed

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

3/6/2026Golden Gate Park--Arboretum (San Francisco Botanical Garden)1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/6/2026Redwood Regional Park--Canyon Meadow area4 observed

White-crowned Sparrow (pugetensis)

Zonotrichia leucophrys

3/6/2026Corona Heights Park8 observed

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

3/5/2026South Richmond Marshes (Stege, Hoffman) and Meeker Slough17 observed

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula

3/5/2026Oracle Pond (pond area only) along Marine Pkwy1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/5/2026Amador Street - fennel/willow patch and adjoining fields 37.74489, -122.379561 observed

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

3/5/2026Belmont Slough--slough along Oracle Pkwy and area behind Oracle1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

American Wigeon

23/6/2026

Greater Scaup

103/6/2026

Lesser Scaup

23/6/2026

Common Goldeneye

23/6/2026

Northern Flicker

13/6/2026

California Scrub-Jay

23/6/2026

Red-breasted Merganser

23/6/2026

Ruddy Duck

13/6/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

23/6/2026

American Crow

13/6/2026

California Towhee

13/6/2026

Canada Goose

133/6/2026

Bufflehead

203/6/2026

Rock Pigeon

103/6/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

33/6/2026

Hudsonian Whimbrel

13/6/2026

Spotted Sandpiper

13/6/2026

Willet

13/6/2026

Western Gull

103/6/2026

Horned Grebe

13/6/2026

Birding Tips

1
Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.
2
Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.
3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in California

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Pacific Coast peninsula with 490+ species and a magnet for rare vagrants.

Mono Lake

Ancient saline lake with millions of migratory birds and surreal tufa towers.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate for birding?▼

The best months to visit Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.

What birds can I see at Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate?▼

Notable species at Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate include Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Greater Scaup. The area supports desert, chaparral habitats.

How difficult is birding at Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate?▼

Birding at Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate?▼

Candlestick Point State Rec. Area - long traveling lists - use specific hotspot where appropriate offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.