11 of the Best Places for Bird Watching in the Bay Area

Learn about Bay Area Birding spots. Explore 10 awesome destinations to go bird watching in the San Francisco Bay Area. Discover Bay Area birds.

Over the years, I've developed a deep appreciation for birds. When I travel for work or for pleasure, I always search for birdwatching near me. 

I'm fortunate that I have had the opportunity to visit the SF Bay Area a few of times a year for more than a decade. Bay Area bird watching is some of the best in the world in my opinion with a wide range of bird species to look for. 

I have to say, my admiration for Bay Area birds deepens with every trip I take to San Francisco.

In this post, I'll share eleven hidden gems for birding on the Peninsula, in the South Bay and East Bay that make it clear why the San Francisco Bay Area is a birdwatchers paradise. 

1. Bayfront Park for Bay Area Birdwatching

Bayfront Park sits right next to the San Francisco Airport.  I often stay at an airport hotel when I first land in the Bay Area so that I don't have to drive far when I'm tired and jetlagged from the long flight from Europe.  

An added side effect of this is that I'm often up early the next morning which is the perfect time to take a bird watching stroll through Bayfront Park.  

My Bay Area birding finds included huge flocks of American Avocets and a variety of ducks and other waterfowl against a backdrop of departing and arriving aircraft.

2. Bay Area Birding in Alviso

Alviso in San Jose is another great weekend destination.  Driving there, I almost felt like I would plunge into the far reaches of the San Francisco Bay as the road snakes dangerously close to water's edge.  

There are a variety of trails through the marshlands and it's amazingly quiet, peaceful, and relaxing: The perfect place for Bay Area birds!  I spotted huge groups of pelicans in flight and many other waterfowl. 

I even spotted an Osprey thanks to the help of a fellow birder who was also appreciating his surroundings.

3. Mountain View Bay Trailhead to Find Copious Bay Area Birds

During the week, I tend to stay close to Mountain View when I'm in California for work. This doesn't mean that I have to stop looking for Bay Area birds.  

I worked in this area for a good few years and there are still trails and Bay Area bird watching spots that I'm only now discovering.  The Bay Marsh Trail is one good example. It's an easy 15 minute hike behind my office and is a spur of the Stevens Creek Trail. 

Getting to the Mountain View Bay Trailhead  

You'll find the Mountain View Bay Trailhead sandwiched between two of Google's campuses. Park near Crittenden Lane and walk behind Google's Crittenden campus to access the trail. 

Alternatively, head to the new and very impressive Google Bay View campus adjacent to the NASA Ames Research Facility and access the trail from this side of Steven's Creek. 

There are two forks to the trail on either side of Steven's Creek. There are a couple of bridges near the trailhead to take you between the different trails. 

The rickety wooden bridge is your last chance to change your mind and cross over to the other fork. 

You'll find plenty of birds in the water, in the reeds, and sitting atop the "iron maidens" that bring power to the area no matter which fork you choose.

Moffett Field Bay Trail from the Mountain View Bay Trailhead

Take the right fork as you face the Bay (keep Steven's Creek on your left) to access the Moffett Field Bay Trail. I especially love walking this trail at sunrise and sunset for great light and highest probability of seeing the birds active.

If you visit around sunset, just make sure to allow yourself enough time to get back to the trailhead before you are immersed in darkness. Safety first! 

The bird watching and scenery are irresistible in the South Bay and it can be tempting to just keep walking as the trail curves outward into the San Francisco Bay.

This trail is also part of the Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area Preserve. On one visit, I encountered a group of students in wellies and water-proof clothing counting birds and taking measurements in the area.

The Moffett Field Bay Trail is great for other kinds of flora and fauna too. One morning was particularly foggy and I spotted a snail soaking up the moisture (hard to come by in California these days!) on a stalk of wild fennel.

Continuing on, I came to a gate that was sending mixed messages.  It was wide open but covered with barbed wire.  

After a moment's hesitation, I passed through and entered an extension of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge.  This area is also used as a hunting ground for ducks during certain times of year.

I saw a wide range of Bay Area birds including ducks, loons, pelicans, and other shorebirds.

From the Moffett Field Bay Trail, you can look back and catch a glimpse of the Google Bay View campus rising like an artificial mountain from the horizon. 

Steven's Creek Trail to Bay Trail Fork from the Mountain View Bay Trailhead

Take the left fork from the Mountain View Bay Trailhead as you face the San Francisco Bay (keep Steven's Creek on your right) to explore the Bay Marshlands. 

You'll emerge along the water where the iron maidens march out into the San Francisco Bay along an inaccessible wooden walkway. This section of trail is particularly magical in the morning just after sunrise when the light shines on the area perfectly.

Bring a good camera and if you're lucky, you'll get a shot of various Bay Area ducks and waders against a backdrop of golden landscape.

10 Portraits of SF Bay Birds that Will Make You Want to Hike from the Mountain View Bay Trailhead

Let me conclude this section with 10 portraits of birds spotted on the Moffett Field Bay Trail that will make you want to take a hike here.

1. Bufflehead

2. Egret

3. Common Goldeneye

4. Northern Shoveler (my favorite duck!)

5. California Towhee

6. Black Phoebe

7. Northern Mockingbird

8. Northern Harrier

9. Grebe

10. Turkey Vulture

4. Shoreline Park for the Best Bay Area Bird Watching

Shoreline Park is also about a 15 minute walk behind my office through a rather posh golf course.  I like walking between the lake and bay as you never know what Bay Area birds you will spot.  

On this trip, I was lucky enough to see some hummingbirds holding still long enough to photograph.  I also spotted a belted kingfisher.  

Before the trip, I thought twice about bringing my 'good' camera as it can be a bit heavy to lug around.  However, I'm so glad I did as I never would have gotten these photographs of various Bay Area birds without the 50x zoom.  

I'm going to bring my 'good' camera on all my trips to California from now on!

The most amazing thing I witnessed in Shoreline Park when I went bird watching in the Bay Area during this past trip was a Red-tailed Hawk making a kill.  

I caught a glimpse of a bird of prey high in a tree but it flew away before I could get a picture.  Five minutes later, I found it eating what I think was a large coot or Canadian goose.  Truly amazing nature...

5. Bay Area Birds in the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve

Take a hike through the Palo Alto Baylands located just behind the Palo Alto airport.  A long trail frequented by joggers is the main attraction.

I spotted all kinds of ducks slicing smoothly through the water.

I saw what I think was a Black Phoebe perched on a chain link fence at the edge of the lake.

I loved the reflections of the whimsical clouds over the water.

A song sparrow blended into the reeds. Thanks to Bubba's bird blog for the assist in identifying this one! 

Hummingbirds flitted about at the edge of the path.  I love how the color can change so dramatically due to iridescence caused when light hits air bubbles on the surface of the feathers of these tiny creatures.

As with many parks for bird watching in the Bay Area, electrical poles tower over the Bay.

The other side of the park was flanked by the Palo Alto airport and we were treated to the sight of private planes coming in for a landing.

We spotted a channel of water tunneling into the wetland from the bay.

Northern shovelers and teals relaxed at water's edge.

A ruddy duck swam happily past.

We could have kept going and hiked along the SF Bay all day, but we were short on time and turned back.  After a brief survey of the trail map near the edge of the road, we took one more short detour to the northeast past Mundy Marsh.

More imposing iron maidens greeted us.

We rounded a corner and noticed a few people gathering with cameras held out.  I crept closer to get a better look and was treated to a sighting of this hawk posing for its audience.  It must have sat there for 10 minutes as onlookers happily snapped away.

Eventually it tired of us and with a tremendous flap of its wings was gone.

We walked back to the car past a group of American avocets grinning ear to ear from a great Bay Area birding experience.

Lucy Evans Nature Center and Baylands Boardwalk

I decided to revisit the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve for bird watching on a recent trip to San Francisco. I parked my car at Lucy Evans Nature Center, which was closed on a Saturday morning in July. 

However, I was excited to see a large number of swallow nests tucked up among the eaves of the building. I could even see the swallows peeking out of the nests. Be careful, though, as this is a bit of a drop zone for bird poop, so make sure to stay out of the line of fire.

There were helpful displays of information on the railing surrounding the Lucy Evans Nature Center. I learned that swallow pairs may have two broods, meaning that some swallow couples raise two or more sets of chicks before flying south in late August. 

I also learned that chicks fledge after 18 to 23 days, and after they leave the nest, they join other juveniles in large groups called creches.

The female swallow lays up to six eggs, and both the male and female take turns keeping the eggs warm and cleaning and bending the nest. Swallow pairs actually build nests together. 

The male and female cliff swallows make their nest out of bits of marsh mud. They use their beaks to mix the mud with saliva and roll it into tiny pellets. The birds then stack the pellets to form sturdy, gourd-shaped nests.

Swallows nest in colonies, as living in a group is safer. The birds work together to protect themselves from predators.

I learned that two swallow species nest here along the San Francisco Bay from March to August: barn swallows and cliff swallows. You might see barn swallows nesting under the deck, while cliff swallows prefer the eaves. 

You can tell the difference between a barn swallow and a cliff swallow by the shape of their tails: barn swallows have forked tails, while cliff swallows have white brows.

A number of the swallows were actually resting along the railing of the boardwalk as I headed in that direction. The Baylands Boardwalk is a relatively short walk, maybe a thousand feet long. 

If you walk out to the end, you'll get great views of the SF Bay off to either side. You'll also see more iron maidens make a dramatic appearance.

I was delighted to see a series of tracks running through the bay at low tide. The birds were much more active here, probably because the tide was so low. 

I saw sandpipers chilling near a patch of grass that had been exposed by the low tide. I also spotted a song sparrow hanging out on the railing of the boardwalk.

I decided to travel light on this particular trip and didn't bring my good camera with the zoom lens. So all the pictures that I took in this area were with my phone. 

However, I was pleased to see that the Lucy Evans Nature Center had some binoculars set up that you could use to get a closer look at the birds in the area.

I saw a variety of birds in this area, including stilts, American avocets, and great egrets. It looked to me like one set of stilts actually had chicks, which was very exciting. I also saw a curlew digging its beak around in the low tide mud.

Overall, I had a great time bird watching near Lucy Evans Nature Center. I learned a lot about swallows and saw a variety of other birds as well. I would definitely recommend this spot as a "go to" location for birdwatching in the SF Bay Area.

Baylands Sailing Station and Palo Alto Boat Launch

The Baylands Sailing Station and Palo Alto Boat Launch is a great place to walk in the Baylands Nature Preserve. It is a short walk from the parking lot near the terminus of Embarcadero Road. 

Cross a small wooden bridge to a floating dock. This is a boat launch, but it is only possible to use at certain times of day. 

The signage recommends launching 1 hour before high tide and retrieving your boat 1 hour after high tide. If you launch your boat at the wrong time, it sounds like you could get stuck.

The nice part about visiting here at low tide (and on foot!) is the birds lining the slough. I spotted a number of egrets of various varieties. They were vying with each other for turf along the water, looking for their next meal. 

This was a very peaceful spot. You can also expect to find some swallows hanging out in the area. I'm pretty sure they were cliff swallows based on the coloring. They were just chilling on the small wooden bridge leading to the dock.

There are also a few port-a-potties in the vicinity of the Palo Alto Baylands Sailing Station if you need to use the bathroom while you are birding. There are also a number of park benches where you can sit, relax, and look at the bird life hanging out on the San Francisco Bay.

6. Bay Area Bird Watching at Casey Forebay

Casey Forebay is another great spot to find Bay Area birds and is located at the very end of San Antonio Road where it spills into the Bay (map). 

A Nature Walk at the End of San Antonio Road

I parked the car where San Antonio Road meets the Bay and set out on foot to explore the area around Casey Forebay, Charleston Slough, and Soap Pond. Carved swifts greeted me as I entered the park; a nice touch.

A dusty walking and bike trail wound through the watery channels.

Beware the Low Tide

I arrived in late morning which happened to be low tide. The basin was dry and cracked. 

Beware if you have a sensitive sense of smell as it can get a bit stinky at low tide. However, this is a small price to pay to see the shorebirds darting to and fro looking for their next meal.

Common Terns

We spotted a variety of Bay Area birds on our trip including a flock of common terns. This one tern on the pole seemed to be posing just for me!

Seabird Frenzy

The path twists and turns a bit. I could hear a cacophony but couldn't see what was causing it. 

I rounded a bend and soon realized the source of all the noise. A flock of seagulls was tormenting the poor pelicans who had staked a claim on a small island in the middle of the slough. 

The pelicans didn't seem too happy about it but were quite stoic as the gulls swarmed around.

Pelicans on the Move

When we visited the area in June, there were tons of giant pelicans around. Just look at that massive wingspan. These are truly gorgeous creatures.

Stalking Herons

Herons may be common but they are beautiful birds and I always enjoy watching them. They are so patient, standing stock still until the moment they strike out at a fish just below the surface of the water.

Ruddy Ducks Showing Off

I love seeing Ruddy Ducks in the spring when their beaks are bright blue during the breeding season. Now that's a handsome fellow!

Prancing American Avocets

We spotted a number of American avocets digging around in the sand. This one almost seems to be aware of its mirror-perfect reflection.

Wading Western Willets

The San Francsico Bay is home to a variety of waders. The Western Willet is just one of many that call this area home. 

Identifying a Mystery Bird

After hiking for a good hour of so, I returned to the entrance of the park and spotted this little brown fellow on the way back to the car. 

It seems to be part of the finch or sparrow family based on the shape of the beak but I couldn't find a match in my birding book. Does anyone have a guess as to what this is? (Update: Sidewalk Safari readers concur that this is a California Towhee!)

For identifying birds in the U.S. in general, I recommend The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America. This is definitely not a book to carry along on a hike (it's 816 pages long!) but I like to review my photos and try to match up the different species that I saw afterward.

7. Birdwatching at Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge

Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont is an ideal place for an East Bay bird watching walk.

A boardwalk led from the parking lot out toward the San Francisco Bay.

Barn swallows flitted about everywhere I looked.

I walked along the path on a gorgeous summer day in June until I arrived at the shore and could have reached out to touch the waters of the Bay if I'd wanted to.

I took a separate trail up a hill to get some perspective on the slough and salt flats below.

Just a short drive away, I checked out the La Riviere Marsh Trail. Great egrets fished below the expansive boardwalk.

8. Bay Area Birdwatching by the Dumbarton Bridge

We've driven across the Dumbarton bridge which spans the San Francisco Bay many times.  While speeding across we've often noticed a lovely nature reserve sitting just below the bridge.  

On our recent trip to San Francisco in March, we decided to pull off the road on the Silicon Valley side of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge and have a little look around.

The grassy, marshy area just below the bridge is actually quite stunning.  I really like how this old railroad bridge seems to be almost shimmering in the early morning mist.

Various pools of standing water reflect the sunshine above.

This area clearly was once used for a more industrial purpose, perhaps harvesting salt.

Shorebirds happily waded in the shallow water.

As we walked further out along the trail orthogonal to the bridge, the traffic sounds began to fade away.

Markers along the water gave hints on what birds and other species we might find here.

We spotted an egret prancing along a narrow strip of land between two pools.

Cormorants zipped about diving for food. The iron maidens are a popular roosting point for birds.

9. City of Sunnyvale Landfill

On my most recent trip to the San Francisco Bay area, I was staying at the AC Hotel Moffett Park in Sunnyvale. I noticed on Google Maps that I wasn't very far away from the San Francisco Bay, so I decided to look for some new places to go birdwatching nearby.

I drove along West Caribbean Drive until I found one of the trailheads of the Bay Trail in Sunnyvale. I was delighted to see a silo with paintings of a very serious-looking owl and other wading birds painted on the side. 

I felt like I was on the right track for some excellent SF Bay birding! I found some parking along the street and proceeded to walk towards the water.

As always, when I visit the SF Bay area, I use the jet lag to my advantage and wake up early. Going for a birding walk early has two benefits: it's not as hot, especially when you visit in the summer, and the birds tend to be most active at dusk and dawn.

I soon came to a staircase leading up a hill and a sign that said "City of Sunnyvale Landfill." I learned that this area was a former waste disposal site that has been capped and regulated by federal, state, and local governments. 

Interestingly, the landfill cap must be protected from erosion, and visitors are instructed to stay on the gravel roads to prevent erosion of the landfill cap. I appreciate how the South Bay and Sunnyvale in particular are trying to regenerate zones that were previously used for industrial purposes.

Of course, I couldn't resist the urge to climb to the top of the hill. I walked up the staircase in the morning golden hour light, and at the top, I could see for miles around me. 

In one direction, I could see the waters of the San Francisco Bay, and in the other direction, I could see the various office parks and industrial landscapes of Sunnyvale. I also noticed that Google had a few new buildings in the works that were designed to look like part of the landscape.

I walked along the gravel path, keeping my eye out for the birds of San Francisco Bay. I love the reflections of the wispy clouds in the waters of the bay and the fine layer of fog rising up over the water.

Be careful as you walk along this path. It's reasonably well maintained, but there are still some weeds growing, many of which have sharp nettles and thorns. 

Based on my personal experience, I recommend wearing long pants instead of shorts if you hike here, despite the summer heat.

One of the things I love about bird watching in the San Francisco Bay area in July is the smell of wild fennel in the air. Keep your eyes peeled for bouquets of yellow flowers on the end of thick green stems. If you go closer and break off one of the stems, you'll smell the unmistakable scent of fennel.

I'll admit that when I first started walking in this area, there weren't a lot of birds, particularly active at the time. However, as I walked along some of the channels at the edge of the bay, I was delighted to find a couple of night herons looking for their next meals. I even saw one of the night herons fly up from the water into one of the nearby trees.

Even though the birds weren't especially active when I visited on this warm July day, there was still other wonders to explore, such as a variety of spiral-shelled snails clinging to various plants in the area. 

I did see a few other birds, including a moorhen and its chicks, and a great heron presiding over an algae-filled pool.

Overall, I found that the City of Sunnyvale Landfill is a convenient and easy spot to take a walk along the San Francisco Bay. 

10. East Bay Birding at Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary in Alameda

Alameda, Oakland's island neighbor, features prime bay frontage. On a recent visit to California, we took the opportunity to visit Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary with our niece and nephew.

Huge flocks of seabirds lined the shore, with a large white egret standing out from the crowd. In the distance, we could see the hazy San Francisco skyline.

A long-billed curlew strutted its stuff, and I spotted what I think was a species of plover. It was a glorious day for a walk along the seashore, and the sun sparkled off the shallow water.

We even spotted a squirrel drinking in the views, and gorgeous wildflowers lined our path. We wandered along the path past some high reeds, enjoying the peaceful setting.

Another highlight was watching a group of cormorants sunning themselves on a pier, with various gulls perched nearby to survey the water.

Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary is a nice, quiet, and accessible spot in the Bay Area, ideal for a walk with kids. Our niece and nephew particularly enjoyed digging in the sand.

11. Bird Watching Further Afield: Moss Landing in Monterey

Before I embarked on the drive from San Francisco Airport to Monterey along the California Coast, I consulted Google Maps for potential birdwatching or wildlife spots along the way.  

An hour and a half later, I pulled in at Moss Landing.  Situated behind an old power plant, Moss Landing is an idyllic spot teeming with life. 

Discover (through the photos below) how Moss Landing is a brilliant bird watching day trip to include on a trip to the SF Bay Area.

Moss Landing is situated between a placid inlet and the raging sea.

The most amazing moment of my visit to Moss Landing came when I was looking out over the inlet and noticed something brown bobbing in the distance.  I zoomed in with my camera and was super-excited to see a sea otter floating on the water!  

I'd seen otters in captivity before but never in the wild.  So awesome!  As I watched more closely, I actually saw that there were several otters around.  

I'll never forget how at one point, I noticed a little duck swimming around near the break wall.  I thought "Hmm, I should take a picture of that one..."  I was distracted by the sea otters though and never did take that photo.  

Actually, I guess I did because before I knew it, one of the otters had that very bird in its grasp!  The otter was kind of licking and toying with it.  

Every now and again, it would submerge the duck under water.  The otter was definitely getting ready for a bit of a snack.  Nature in action...

I also saw a nice variety of ducks and shorebirds nearby making Moss Landing an ideal spot to stop and stretch your legs on the way from San Francisco to Monterey.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Looking for other ideas for things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area? Here are some of my top suggestions: San Francisco Hike the Barbary Coast Trail and explore San Francisco's Gold Rush past. Take a walking tour of the best Art Deco San Francisco architecture. East Bay Head for the East Bay on the Alameda Ferry. Silicon Valley Go for a self-guided tour of Stanford University. Discover all manner of delicious treats at the San Mateo Farmers Market. Day Trip Ideas Explore wine country with a day in Napa or even a weekend in Calistoga. Get off-the-beaten-track for wine tasting with a drive from San Francisco to Lodi. This post may be about birdwatching, but another great option (if you are less outdoorsy) is to take yourself on a self-guided tour of the best margaritas in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bay Area Bird Watching Map

Here's a handy map of all the Bay Area bird watching sites mentioned above if you'd like to see for yourself the amazing array of birdwatching opportunities in the Bay Area. 

Click on the image to open up an interactive version in Google Maps.  

If you are looking for additional spots for see SF Bay Area birds or guided walks, check out the Golden Gate Audubon Society website. I hope I have a chance to add to this list of the best bird watching spots in the Bay Area on future trips! 

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