Wildlife around the Bay area.

Question

For the first 2 weeks of April my sons and I will be staying 1 week each in Monterey and San Francisco. Our primary interest is viewing and photographing wildlife. Clearly, the focus at Monterey will be on marine mammals. We would also like to see species that we don't have in Europe, like Bald-headed eagles and Black bears. I know we would be very lucky to see them!

Any advice on likely locations will be very gratefully received!

Many thanks.

Mark

Answer

April is a fantastic time for wildlife photography in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas. During this period, you'll have a good mix of marine and terrestrial wildlife opportunities, including species that are rare or absent in Europe.

In Monterey, your primary focus will naturally be on marine mammals. The Monterey Bay is a hotspot for wildlife viewing:

Monterey Bay Whale Watch: Daily boat tours run from the harbor and provide excellent opportunities to see gray whales, humpbacks, and blue whales depending on migration timing. Sea otters and seals are often seen nearshore.
Elkhorn Slough: About a 20-minute drive from Monterey, this estuary is home to sea otters, harbor seals, and a variety of shorebirds. Kayak or boat tours offer close-up wildlife encounters.
Carmel River State Beach & Point Lobos: These areas are great for spotting sea lions, harbor seals, and shorebirds along the cliffs and beaches. Point Lobos is particularly scenic for photography.

For terrestrial wildlife, including birds like bald eagles and other raptors:

Pinnacles National Park: About 1.5–2 hours south of Monterey, Pinnacles has California condors, golden eagles, and occasionally black bears. April is an excellent time for spotting raptors as they are more active during nesting season.
Big Sur and Ventana Wilderness: Along the coast, you may see bobcats, deer, and a variety of birds. Coastal cliffs are also good for peregrine falcon photography.

Once in San Francisco, you can still enjoy a variety of wildlife experiences:

Marin Headlands: Offers great views of harbor seals along the coast and a variety of raptors including red-tailed hawks and occasionally bald eagles.
Golden Gate Park & Presidio: While mostly urban wildlife, you can spot coyote, raccoons, and a variety of birds.
Point Reyes National Seashore: A 1–1.5 hour drive north of San Francisco. Excellent for tule elk, harbor seals, sea lions, and migrating whales offshore. The park’s estuaries are also prime spots for birdwatching.
San Francisco Bay & Richardson Bay: During spring migration, you may see a variety of waterfowl, herons, and raptors. Bald eagles are occasionally seen around Tomales Bay and the northern areas.

Additional tips for wildlife photography:

Bring binoculars or a spotting scope for birds and distant marine mammals.
Early morning or late afternoon light provides the best photographic conditions and animal activity.
Check local wildlife calendars and reserve tours in advance, especially for whale watching and kayak tours.

Overall, Monterey will be your best bet for marine mammals and close-up wildlife, while the surrounding coastal and northern areas, including Pinnacles and Point Reyes, offer opportunities to photograph terrestrial wildlife like bald eagles, black-tailed deer, and occasionally black bears.