3 Bay Area Winter Wildlife Safari's

Winter is an amazing season to watch wildlife. Rain or shine, the weather should not stop you and your kids from enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Bay Area as they embrace the wet season. Here's a quick snapshot of the animals you might stumble across on your own wildlife safari.

OCEAN SAFARI

Common dolphin

Take a boat tour out and you are likely to spot various dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat. Credit: NOAA NMFS.

Northern right whale dolphin

Credit: NOAA NMFS

Mama Sea Otter with Baby

Adorable playful sea otters frolic off the shores in Monterey Bay. Prepare to fall in love! NOAA Photo Library

Gray Whale Breaching

Tour boats leave San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Moss Landing & Monterey December-May. In Point Reyes, docents are stationed at the Lighthouse Observation Deck to answer questions. Photographer: Dr. Steven Swartz, NOAA/NMFS/OPR

Humpback Whale, Spyhopping

Later in the year, from May to November, is the Farallon whale watching season for humpback whales and for blue whales. California, Monterey Bay. Photographer: Dr. Mridula Srinivasan, NOAA/NMFS/OST/AMD.

Spotted seal pup

Photographer: Captain Budd Christman, NOAA Corps.

Northern elephant seal

Experience Elephant Seals Weekends and holidays, late-December through March at Point Reyes. Docents will be stationed at the Elephant Seal Overlook from 11 am to 4 pm. Photographer: Robert Schwemmer, CINMS, NOAA.

Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo State Park

Año Nuevo State Park is one of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal. Photo by Ronnie Sharpe

California Sea Lions On Mooring Buoy

Meet the world-famous California Sea Lions at Pier 39. Photographer: Dr. Mridula Srinivasan, NOAA/NMFS/OST/AMD.

Sunfish

This magnificent fish can grow quite large and can be seen in captivity at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Steinhart Aquarium. You're likely to come across one on any boat tours.

Quick Tips:

• Numerous ranger-led programs are offered during the Whale and Elephant Seal Season at Point Reyes National Seashore.
• Año Nuevo State Reserve, has the most amazing guided walking tours and is 27 miles south of Half Moon Bay, reservations are required.
• Monterey celebrates with their annual Whalefest this weekend! Whale watching tour boats are available year round.

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TIDEPOOL SAFARI

Purple Sea Star

Muir Beach Tidepool. Photo Ronnie Sharpe.

California Mussels

These clam-like animals attach themselves to the rock by strong threads called the byssus. They typically grow close together in large numbers, forming a mussel bed. They open their shells to extract nutrients and oxygen from the water during high tide. As the tide drops, they clamp their shells closed, trapping water inside to help them survive low tide. 

Aggregating Sea Anemone

The most abundant sea anemones found, most often they will be in large colonies covering rocks in the high tide zone. They look like small gelatinous blobs and are often overlooked because they blend into their surroundings so well, sand, gravel and bits of shell adhere to the "sticky" cells on their columns, enhancing their camouflage as well as acting as a sunblock to keep them from drying out. Photo by Ronnie Sharpe.

Purple and Ochre Sea Stars, Sea Anemones, Limpets and Barnacles

It's common to see all these animals clustered together clinging to rocks and in crevices. Photo by Ronnie Sharpe.

Kelp Crab

Well camouflaged and hidden beneath the thick layers of kelp and surf grass. These crabs have long, spider-like legs which allow them to move quickly from one pool of water to another during low tide, which lets them stay cool and keeps them from running out of oxygen. 

Hermit Crab

Occupying an empty snail shell, these little crabs have long antennae, the head
and pinchers which are visible as it moves about. Hermit crabs are very active, and can move from dry areas into tidepools as needed to cool themselves down, obtain oxygen, and scavenge food. When disturbed, the crab withdraws into the adopted snail shell, and you may see the crab’s pinchers covering the opening much as the original snail inhabitant once used the operculum to close the opening. The hermit crab needs a supply of ever-larger empty snail shells to move into as it grows. 

Quick Tips:

• A little advanced planning is key to enjoying this safari. Look up the NOAA timetables for low tide. You want an extra-low negative tide which reveals more of the rocks that are normally covered with water, and more creatures that are usually submerged. 
• Great places to go include Agate Beach near Bolinas, Muir Beach, and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach.
• Please remember that collection of rocks, shells, and any other marine life is prohibited. 

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LAND SAFARI

Rough-Skinned Newt

Newts emerge across paths at Lake Lagunitas and other Marin reservoirs and hiking trails. Photo by Ronnie Sharpe

California Slender Salamander

Photo by J. Maughn

Western Skink

Photo by J.Maughn

Monarch Butterfly

Cluster in large groups and can be see at Berkeley's Aquatic Park, Muir Beach, Ring Mountain. Nothing beats seeing them at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz and Monarch Grove Sanctuary, Pacific Grove. Visit the Monarch Watch website for more information. Photo by Craig Solin.

Monarch Caterpillar

Monarch Life Cycle. All insects change in form as they grow; this process is called metamorphosis. Butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis, in which there are four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. Photo by Craig Solin.

Gopher

Photo by Byron Chin

Ladybugs at Redwood Regional Park

Ladybugs hibernate by the millions at Redwood Regional Park in the East Bay. Photo by Laure Latham (click here to check out Frogmom.com)

Banana Slug

Banana Slug will not be hard to stumble across. Marvel at these remarkable mollusks on your hike as they thrive in a moist environment. Photo by Ronnie Sharpe

Coho Salmon

Look for salmon one to three days after a rainstorm. Traditionally, January is the best month to spot the spawning coho and steelhead. Laguintas and Redwood Creeks are the best places to spot them. 

Tule Elk

The tule elk can be found in several locations within the park but the best chance of seeing them is in the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point. They graze freely and are often seen near the road as you drive into the preserve. Photo by Craig Solin.

Coyote

Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Oppossom

Skunk

Racoon

San Francisco Gartersnake

Color is dark olive to black, with light stripes on the back and on each side. The head is red and there are red markings on the sides between the stripes. Stripes are blue on some snakes in the north bay. Photo by Gary Nafis.

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

A heavy-bodied snake with a large triangular head and thin neck, and large keeled scales, and a tail tipped with a rattle that is shaken to produce a loud sound when the snake is feeling threatened. Young snakes have no rattle and cannot make a sound. Photo by Gary Nafis.

Black Widow

The Black Widow venom is quite toxic, and treatment for bites should be immediately sought, especially for small children. It is easy to avoid encounters by being careful where cobwebs are present and where humans don't regularly visit. They can easily be brushed out of the way with a broom or a large piece of cardboard. They are very timid and will do everything they can to avoid confrontation.

Tarantulas

Most species of tarantulas are not dangerous to humans. Typically, you can see males seeking a mate any evening in the fall.  Areas within various East Bay Regional Parks from the Delta, south through Mt. Diablo and Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness have their fair share of them.  In the Oakland hills, you’re more likely to see a different spider species, the false tarantula, which looks similar. 

Orb Spider

A common garden spider.

Red-legged Frog

Or visit a nature facility for an up close look at our local wildlife. Hours vary and some have indoor space in case you want to avoid the rain. Be sure to confirm when they are open.

Just a few tips before venturing out. 

They say “There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” If it does rain, do not let the weather stop you, dress appropriately.

• Avoid disturbing wildlife by keeping a safe distance and using binoculars or camera lens.
• Make sure to pick a hike suited to your child’s skill and endurance level.
• Don't forget snacks, water, sunscreen and anything else you need on a hike.

We are so fortunate to live in a prime spot for discovering amazing mammals, insects, birds, reptiles and more who also call the Bay Area home. Have fun observing the abundant wildlife, plants, geology and cultural richness that make where we live unique in the world. Rain or shine, they are there waiting to meet you.