Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

California · Southwest

EasyOfficial Site View on eBird

Habitat

Urban ParkGrasslandChaparral

Best Seasons

SpringWinter

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

March-May

Entrance Fee

$6 per vehicle parking

Hours

6:00 AM – Sunset daily

About This Location

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area occupies 401 acres of the Baldwin Hills in the heart of Los Angeles, providing an unexpected island of green in the urban landscape. The park's restored native habitat, fishing lake, and panoramic hilltop trails have recorded over 150 bird species, making it one of the best urban birding locations in central LA.

The park is particularly notable for raptors, with Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Cooper's Hawks nesting in the eucalyptus groves, and White-tailed Kites hunting over the grasslands. The small lake attracts herons and occasional migrant waterfowl, while the sage scrub and chaparral habitats host California Towhees, Wrentits, and migrant warblers. The hilltop viewpoints provide excellent hawk-watching vantage points.

Location

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Notable Species

White-tailed Kite Red-shouldered Hawk Cooper's Hawk Wrentit California Towhee Allen's Hummingbird

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

3/4/2026Famosa Slough1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/4/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/4/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/4/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/4/2026Lafayette Reservoir Dam-West1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Lafayette Reservoir Dam-West1 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Rangeland Rd.1 observed

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

3/4/2026stakeout Broad-billed Hummingbird, Salinas (2026)1 observed

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

3/4/2026stakeout Broad-billed Hummingbird, Salinas (2026)1 observed

Williamson's Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

3/4/2026Sapsucker Stakeout1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle x Audubon's)

Setophaga coronata

3/4/2026Thousand Oaks Park (SCL Co.)1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle x Audubon's)

Setophaga coronata

3/4/2026Thousand Oaks Park (SCL Co.)1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/4/2026Ramona Community Park1 observed

Green-tailed Towhee

Pipilo chlorurus

3/4/2026Tijuana Slough NWR--South McCoy Trail area1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Mission Bay--De Anza Cove & Point1 observed

Lewis's Woodpecker

Melanerpes lewis

3/4/20263011 Pine Hills Road, Julian, California, US (33.076, -116.618)1 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

3/4/2026Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Malibu US-CA 34.09152, -118.809221 observed

Cassin's Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

3/4/2026Pacific Commons Linear Park1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Pacheco Lane Pond (40.8668,-124.1143)1 observed

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Birding Tips

1
The hilltop trails offer the best raptor viewing, especially on clear mornings with thermals
2
Check the fishing lake for herons, kingfishers, and visiting waterfowl
3
Walk the native plant garden trails for close views of hummingbirds and scrub-dwelling species

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Picnic Areas

Nearby Attractions

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
La Brea Tar Pits

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Birding Guides

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area for birding?▼

The best months to visit Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area for birding are March-May. The best seasons are Spring and Winter.

What birds can I see at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area?▼

Notable species at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area include White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Wrentit, California Towhee, Allen's Hummingbird. The area supports urban park, grassland, chaparral habitats.

How difficult is birding at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area?▼

Birding at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area?▼

The entrance fee at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is $6 per vehicle parking. Hours: 6:00 AM – Sunset daily.

What amenities are available at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area?▼

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Picnic Areas.