The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near San Francisco, CA

30 birding locations within 50 miles

California · United States

30

Locations

60+

Species

9

Habitats

3

Peak Seasons

Loading map...

Birding Locations Near San Francisco

lake surrounded by green trees during foggy weather

California

2.2 mi away

Moderate

Fort Mason

Desert birding hotspot in California with 251 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Grassland birding habitat

California

3.2 mi away

Moderate

Presidio - Crissy Field

Grassland birding hotspot in California with 261 recorded species.

GrasslandFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

3.6 mi away

Easy

Golden Gate Park - long traveling lists - use more specific hotspots where appropriate

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 269 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
A great blue heron portrait.

California

3.6 mi away

Easy

Heron's Head Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 212 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Stow Lake and mature trees in Golden Gate Park San Francisco

California

3.7 mi away

Easy

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco's 1,000-acre urban oasis with 250+ species, migrant traps, and year-round birding.

Urban ParkForestLakeWinterFall
Desert birding habitat

California

3.7 mi away

Moderate

Presidio - Battery Godfrey

Desert birding hotspot in California with 282 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

4.8 mi away

Moderate

Land's End - long traveling lists - use more specific hotspots where appropriate

Desert birding hotspot in California with 260 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

4.9 mi away

Moderate

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

Desert birding hotspot in California with 222 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Aerial view of Lake Merced surrounded by parkland in San Francisco

California

5.2 mi away

Easy

Lake Merced

San Francisco's largest freshwater lake with year-round waterfowl and coastal cliff-nesting swallows.

LakeUrban ParkCoastalWinterSpring
Lake birding habitat

California

5.5 mi away

Moderate

Lake Merced - for long traveling lists - use more specific hotspots where appropriate

Lake birding hotspot in California with 280 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

5.5 mi away

Easy

Middle Harbor Shoreline Park

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 208 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

5.7 mi away

Moderate

Hawk Hill

Desert birding hotspot in California with 215 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

5.7 mi away

Moderate

Lake Merced - Concrete Bridge area

Lake birding hotspot in California with 269 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
green grass field near body of water under white clouds during daytime

California

7.3 mi away

Moderate

Rodeo Lagoon (including beach and offshore)

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 326 recorded species.

WetlandCoastalFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

7.4 mi away

Moderate

Emeryville Marina

Desert birding hotspot in California with 211 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

7.8 mi away

Moderate

Crown Memorial SB - Crab Cove area

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 216 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

8.7 mi away

Easy

Berkeley Aquatic Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 204 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

8.7 mi away

Easy

Cesar Chavez Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 230 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

9.1 mi away

Moderate

Lake Merritt

Lake birding hotspot in California with 215 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

9.5 mi away

Moderate

Albany Bulb

Desert birding hotspot in California with 222 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

9.5 mi away

Moderate

Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary

Desert birding hotspot in California with 202 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

9.9 mi away

Moderate

Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline

Desert birding hotspot in California with 243 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

10.4 mi away

Moderate

Muir Beach - includes beach, Redwood Creek riparian corridor, Green Gulch

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 248 recorded species.

CoastalRiver/RiparianFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

10.4 mi away

Moderate

South Richmond Marshes (Stege, Hoffman) and Meeker Slough

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 241 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

11.4 mi away

Moderate

Mori Point

Desert birding hotspot in California with 213 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
a large white bird flying over a body of water

California

11.6 mi away

Moderate

MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline - Arrowhead Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 240 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

11.8 mi away

Moderate

Corte Madera Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 228 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

13.1 mi away

Moderate

Point San Pablo/Point Molate

Desert birding hotspot in California with 218 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

13.7 mi away

Moderate

San Leandro Marina

Desert birding hotspot in California with 227 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
a wolf standing on a rock in the snow

California

13.9 mi away

Easy

Coyote Point County Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 282 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter

Top Species Near San Francisco

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Rock PigeonAnna's HummingbirdAllen's HummingbirdWestern GullWestern GrebeAmerican WigeonDouble-crested CormorantTurkey VultureCommon RavenAmerican CrowOak TitmouseBewick's WrenCanada GooseMallardGreater ScaupBuffleheadRing-necked DuckHooded MerganserLesser ScaupRuddy DuckWestern BluebirdCedar WaxwingWild TurkeyMourning DoveGreat Horned Owl+35 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Desert12 locations
Chaparral12 locations
Urban Park8 locations
Lake5 locations
Coastal5 locations
Wetland4 locations
Grassland1 location
Forest1 location
River/Riparian1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring29 locations
Fall29 locations
Winter30 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near San Francisco, CA?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of San Francisco include Fort Mason, Presidio - Crissy Field, Golden Gate Park - long traveling lists - use more specific hotspots where appropriate, Heron's Head Park, Golden Gate Park. These spots offer desert, chaparral, grassland habitats.
What birds can I see near San Francisco?▼
Birders near San Francisco can spot species including Rock Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, Western Gull, Western Grebe, American Wigeon, Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture. The area's 9 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near San Francisco?▼
The best seasons for birding near San Francisco are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near San Francisco?▼
There are 30 documented birding locations within 50 miles of San Francisco, CA, ranging from 2.2 to 13.9 miles from the city center.

Nearby Cities

Birding Near Fremont, CA

Birding Near San Jose, CA

Birding Near Stockton, CA

Explore California

See all birding locations across California.

All California LocationsFull Directory