The Bay Area is blessed not only with some of the finest and most diverse Bayfront, oak savanna, coniferous woodland and farmland habitats, but also easy access to both the coast to our west and Sierra Nevada to the east. A modest drive from our county brings birders to the beautiful mountain landscape and its characteristic mix of species. The itinerary describes birding stops ranging from alpine Yuba Pass (7000’) which hosts Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Mountain Quail and Clark’s Nutcrackers to the subalpine Sierra Valley (4800’) home to Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrows and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

Within the east San Jose foothills lies Joseph D. Grant Park, Santa Clara county’s largest park.  Included in this park are over 50 miles of walking trails and an impressive variety of bird species at  any time of the year. In the winter months two excellent stopping points within Joseph D. Grant Park  are Grant Lake and the more secluded, adjacent McCreery Lake. Just past the main park entrance on  Mt. Hamilton Rd. (Hwy. 130), they are easily accessible and provide a wide variety of waterfowl and  shorebirds in the peaceful oak woodland hills. Within this same area you will also encounter many  raptors, woodpeckers, and songbirds. 

Waterfowl and gulls are the main menu here in winter and you will find many! Located in Campbell, this park includes six percolation ponds to explore. It is flat, excellent for walking (as well as for bikes and strollers), and it is partially accessible for people with mobility issues.

A migrant trap close to the bayfront, Charleston Road Marsh is worth visiting for a chance to find fall migrants dropping in, seek out songbirds spending the winter skulking in the shrubs, or enjoy some colorful spring travelers on their way back north. Peaceful and rarely very crowded, this marsh is an underappreciated and under-birded gem with great potential for bringing in migrants common and rare.

Kevin Moran Park is a 10 acre park located in a quiet Saratoga neighborhood and could be easily missed. It's a beautiful multi-use park with plenty of parking. Its convenient proximity to major roadways makes it an easy option to fit some birding into your busy day.

Fueled by water from the nearby water pollution control plant, Sunnyvale Baylands Park is a freshwater oasis for waterfowl and shorebirds (mostly in winter) and upland birds (year-round). Lovely, level walks throughout the park make for a pleasant stroll any time of year. This guide covers a one-mile loop around the park, hitting all the varied habitats and birds found throughout the year.

Loma Prieta is one of the greatest spots in the county (and California!) to see migration in action. This spot in the Santa Cruz Mountains is a natural funnel for migrants. Few other places match the ability to truly immerse yourself in warblers, hummingbirds, finches, and more. While birding here can be challenging, Loma Prieta is a superb spot and shouldn’t be missed.

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is located in Palo Alto and is a great place to go birding if you live in Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, or San Mateo. The park features a range of habitats from grasslands to oak woodland, and a small lake, all of which are home to a wide variety of birds throughout the year. In the spring, many birds arrive from the tropics and make this their home for a few months when they build their nests and raise their young before heading back south in the fall.