Southern California is a birding destination where geography, climate, and biodiversity collide to create a region that feels almost purposely‑built for birders. With over 600 recorded species, it’s among the most species‑rich corners of North America, and its habitats shift so dramatically over short distances that a single day can feel like a multi‑state expedition.  

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The tour focuses around the observation of 20+ species entirely or nearly endemic to Southern California, including Yellow-billed Magpie, Ridgway’s Rail, Black Oystercatcher, Allen’s Hummingbird, Bell’s Sparrow, Black-chinned Sparrow, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Wrentit, Oak Titmouse, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Mountain Quail, Tricolored Blackbird, LeConte's Thrasher, and Golden-crowned Sparrow. We also look for the “California 7”: California Condor, California Gnatcatcher, California Gull, California Thrasher, California Towhee, California Scrub-Jay, and California Quail - we search for the endemic Island Scrub-Jay, found only on Santa Cruz Island, and set aside a day for a pelagic tour to observe species rarely seen from land.