California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) is in the Eared Seals family (Otariidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 34,697 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph California Sea Lion: observations by month (U.S.)
About California Sea Lion
The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of six species of sea lion. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. Sea lions are sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and have a thicker neck and protruding crest. They mainly haul-out on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
California Sea Lion by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 31,776 | August | Jul–Jun |
| Oregon | 1,530 | March | Aug–Jun |
| Washington | 1,362 | April | Aug–May |
| Alaska | 29 | April | Feb–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Eared Seals)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph California Sea Lion?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to June.
Where is California Sea Lion most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.