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There’s some world class mammal viewing in California. Very varied habitat (from desert to tundra), coupled with incredible scenery and some of the most productive Cetacean viewing in the world make it a top mammal watching destination. I spent only 10 or so days here and barely scratched the surface.

Andrew Molera State Park, September 1998 – Gray Fox, Raccoon, Yuma Myotis (dozens skimming the river near the car park).

Ano Nuevo, September 1998 – California Field Vole (common along the trail to the beach), Northern Sea Lion (take a scope to find them among their more numerous Californian cousins).

Joshua Tree National Park, September 1998 – Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Desert Cottontail, California Chipmunk, White-tailed Antelope Squirrel, Grey Fox, Sonoran Desert Pocket Mouse, Western Pipistrelle.

Lake Lopez, September 1998 - Bobcat.

Monterey, September 1998 – Monterey Bay Whale Watch offers some of the best Cetacean spotting in the world. September is one of the better times of year for diversity and numbers of species. During three 4 hour trips we had Blues, Humpbacks, and a Fin and Minke whale, Long-beaked Common and Pacific White-sided Dolphins (the former in pods of many hundred), Harbour and Dall’s Porpoise and Risso’s Dolphins. Dipped on Northern Right Whale Dolphins (not uncommon), Orcas (regular) and Baird’s Beaked Whales (seen several times most Septembers). Sea Otters and Harbour Seals are around the wharf and saw a California Ground Squirrel in town.

Point Piedras Blancas, September 1998 - Northern Elephant Seal.

Point Reyes National Seashore, September 1998 – the Black-tailed subspecies of Mule Deer (race Columbianus), and the Tule subspecies of Elk (race Nannodes).

Route 1, September 1998  - This highway that leads south of Monterey, hugging the coast to near LA is stunning. Mammals include Brush Rabbit and Northern Elephant Seal.

San Francisco, September 1998  - California Sea Lions (Pier 39 in the middle of the harbour). Check out the local natural history society boat trips to the Farallone Islands to see Blue Whales in September (saw plenty of other Cetaceans too on a day trip there).

Yosemite, October 1998 – Western Gray Squirrel, Alpine Chipmunk, Douglas Squirrel, Gray Fox, Pallid Bat (roosting in the lodge), Black Bear (common wherever food is).

Other People's Trip Reports
South-western USA, 2004: Steve-Anyon Smith, one month in Arizona, California and Texas & 46 mammals... including an Armadillo.