• Seek out the legendary Island Scrub-Jay on Santa Cruz Island, the range-restricted Yellow-billed Magpie, and the majestic California Condor soaring above Los Padres National Forest, alongside a rich supporting cast of coastal, desert, and mountain birds. • Spend a full day offshore aboard a specialized vessel searching for seabirds and marine life seldom seen from land. • Explore a remarkable range of ecosystems—from the misty Pacific shoreline and chaparral hillsides to desert washes, mountain overlooks, and lush inland wetlands—each offering unique birding opportunities. • Visit the Salton Sea and scan for rare species like the Yellow-footed Gull and observe large flocks of gulls and shorebirds. • Experience the unique birdlife of California’s largest state park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park including species such as Crissal, LeConte’s, and Sage Thrashers, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and Costa’s Hummingbird. • Immerse yourself in Southern California’s breathtaking coastal landscapes, where dramatic ocean cliffs, tranquil lagoons, and pristine beaches create a mosaic of habitats teeming with birdlife.

Dates: September 3-12, 2026 September 2-11, 2027 (2027-TBD) Price: $TBD per person (DBL) $TBD single supplement Deposit: $300 per person Starts/Ends: San Diego International Airport (SAN) Each tour is limited to 8 participants Status: Coming Soon TBD: Pricing for this tour is currently pending. We are accepting reservations with no deposit required until pricing is finalized.

The package includes all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10, ground transportation during the tour, entrance fees to parks and preserves, accommodations as stated in the itinerary, and guided services provided by the tour leader(s). The price also includes a full day offshore pelagic tour and round-trip transportation to Santa Cruz Island as part of the Channel Islands National Park visit. It does not include travel expenses including but not limited to airfare to and from the tour destination, travel insurance, extended stays (before and/or after the tour), alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and items/expenses of personal nature.

TROY HIBBITTS https://static.wixstatic.com/media/deca88_d0d3bb9711554cdfb7853bf5e6cc809e~mv2.jpg

The difficulty level of this tour is Easy to Moderate. It is designed for birders who enjoy full days in the field without strenuous hiking. Most birding occurs on level ground, including well‑maintained trails, boardwalks, and scenic overlooks. Typical walks range from 1–3 miles, taken slowly with frequent stops for viewing, photography, and interpretation. There is no steep elevation gain, as mountain birding is done from accessible trails, pullouts, and roadside overlooks. The tour also includes moderate drives between locations broken up by frequent stops.  Mornings begin at sunrise to take advantage of cooler conditions and peak bird activity. Breaks are built in when appropriate, especially during desert and mountain segments—to allow time to rest and recharge. The pace is steady, with plenty of time for photography, scenic stops, and flexible birding based on conditions.   A full day is dedicated to an offshore pelagic tour, during which participants may spend time standing or moving about the vessel. Seating is available, and the crew prioritizes safety and comfort. As ocean conditions vary, participants should bring layers, sun protection, and motion‑sickness remedies as needed.   The itinerary also includes a ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island, which requires boarding, disembarking, and walking on docks and boat ramps. The crossing is generally smooth but may involve light vessel motion depending on ocean conditions. Once ashore, walking is done on well‑established island trails at a leisurely pace while searching for the Island Scrub‑Jay and other wildlife.

While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds listed below, we believe that encountering these species is likely during this tour. • Mountain Quail • California Quail • Allen's Hummingbird • California Condor • Island Scrub-Jay • Tricolored Blackbird • Black-chinned Sparrow • California Towhee • California Thrasher • California Gnatcatcher • California Scrub-Jay • White-headed Woodpecker • Yellow-billed Magpie • LeConte's Thrasher • California Gull • Ridgway's Rail • And many more!

ITINERARY Day 1 — Arrival in San Diego & Coastal Birding. Arrive in San Diego International Airport (SAN), take complimentary shuttle to hotel and meet us at the hotel lobby at 2 pm. Gather with your guide and fellow birders for an introductory birding walk at one of San Diego’s most productive coastal hotspots, the San Diego River Mouth. We scan the mudflats and tidal channels for feeding shorebirds, watch for gulls and pelicans along the shoreline. Species we may observe include Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Western Gull, Elegant Tern, Brandt’s Cormorant, Black Oystercatcher, Wandering Tattler, Brown Pelican, Reddish Egret, and Short-billed Gull – among several countable exotics. As the sun sets, we join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station, San Diego.   Day 2 — San Diego Area Hotspots & Tijuana River Valley. We begin the day with the soft light of dawn at the renowned San Diego Bay. The mosaic of mudflats, tidal channels, and restored wetlands is alive with both resident and migratory birds. We walk the boardwalks and levees, scanning for herons, egrets, and flocks of terns diving for fish. Listen for the distinctive calls of rails in the marsh grasses and watch for raptors like Osprey and Northern Harrier hunting over the wetlands. Target species include the three Scoters (Surf, White-winged and Black), Brown Booby, Clark’s and Western Grebes, Red-necked Phalarope, Royal Tern, Osprey, Red Knot, Forster’s Tern, Short-billed Dowitcher, Black-bellied Plover, American Avocet, as well as variety of shorebirds.  We then head south to the Tijuana River Valley, a lush riparian corridor near the U.S.-Mexico border. Here we explore shaded trails and riverine woodlands, keeping an eye out for late-season migrants and post-breeding dispersal flocks. The valley’s blend of habitats offers excellent opportunities for photography and relaxed birding. Target species in this area include Least Bell’s Vireo, Wrentit, California Thrasher, California Towhee, California Gnatcatcher, Allen’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds, Ridgway’s Rail, Yellow-breasted Chat, Bushtit, and a variety of sparrows and flycatchers. Also, raptors such as Red-tailed Hawk and White-tailed Kite may be seen patrolling the skies. Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station, San Diego.   Day 3 – Pelagic Tour. Today is dedicated to the open sea—we take a pelagic tour that promises encounters with species rarely glimpsed from shore. Likely species we may see during the tour include: Black-vented, Pink-footed, and Sooty Shearwaters may all make an appearance, as well as Craveri’s and Guadalupe Murrelets, Leach’s, Townsend’s, Ashy, Black and Least Storm-Petrels, Coco’s Booby, Red-necked and Red Phalaropes, Pomarine, Long-tailed and Parasitic Jaegers, Cassin’s Auklet, Common and Arctic Terns, and Sabine’s Gulls.  Between bird sightings, the ocean itself offers surprises: pods of dolphins and sea lions, and the possibility of a distant whale spout keeps everyone alert. Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station, San Diego. Day 4 — Coastal Hotspots to Ventura. Today we start our journey up the coast toward Orange County making several stops at beaches, parks, and reserves along the way. Our first stop, Point La Jolla, where the dramatic meeting of ocean and cliffs creates a spectacular backdrop for coastal birding. The unique geography of Point La Jolla funnels seabirds close to shore, offering excellent opportunities for observation and photography. Species we may observe include Black-vented Shearwater, Brandt’s Cormorant, Brown Pelican, Western Gull, Elegant Tern, Western Grebe, Heermann’s Gull, California Gull, Wandering Tattler, Black Oystercatcher, Pelagic Cormorant, Caspian Tern, and Black Skimmer, among many others. We continue to enjoy some of Southern California’s best birding hotspots and scenic coastal views as we travel to Ventura. The road hugs the coastline offering a mix of coastal and freshwater habitats and great spots for gulls, terns, and migratory songbirds, with beautiful ocean views. Other notable target species for the day include Hutton’s Vireo, Western Tanager, Townsend’s Warbler, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Allen’s Hummingbird, Western Bluebird, California Towhee, Wrentit, California Quail, Nanday Parakeet, Willow Flycatcher, California Scrub-Jay, and a variety of herons, egrets, and shorebirds. Overnight: TownePlace Suites, Ventura-Oxnard.   Day 5 — Channel Islands National Park. Today we take the ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island, the largest of California’s Channel Islands and a sanctuary for unique flora and fauna. Take in dramatic vistas, wildflower displays, and the tranquil atmosphere of this remote island. We search for the legendary Island Scrub-Jay, a striking blue corvid found nowhere else on earth. We explore the oak woodlands and coastal terraces, listening for the jay’s distinctive calls and watching for its bold, inquisitive behavior. Along the way, we may also encounter a variety of other species including Allen’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds, Bewick’s Wren, Hutton’s Vireo, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, and Orange-crowned Warbler. Overnight: TownePlace Suites, Ventura-Oxnard.   Day 6 – Santa Ynez Valley & Los Padres National Forest. Today we drive north toward Cachuma Lake and the Santa Inez Valley in search of the Yellow-billed Magpie. This is the southern edge of the species’ range in California. The surrounding oak-savanna corridors are classic magpie habitat where they are often found on fences, foraging along pastures, or flying across the road. In the afternoon we will find ourselves in Los Padres National Forest, one of California’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. The goal here is to observe the majestic California Condor, North America’s largest flying bird. With a wingspan approaching ten feet, condors are often seen soaring on midday thermals above the forested slopes and rocky outcrops. We also scan the skies for Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Raven, Peregrine Falcon, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. The rugged terrain and dramatic overlooks provide a stunning backdrop for birding and photography. Other notable species for the day include California Scrub-Jay, California Quail, Belted Kingfisher, California Towhee, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Brewer’s Blackbird - to name a few.   Overnight: Embassy Suites, Palmdale.   Day 7 – Antelope Valley & San Jacinto Wildlife Area. The Antelope Valley sits at the western edge of the Mojave Desert, a high‑desert basin where wide skies, Joshua tree woodlands, and creosote flats create one of Southern California’s most distinctive birding landscapes. It’s a place where desert specialties, mountain wanderers, and wintering waterbirds all converge, giving the region a surprising diversity for such an arid environment. Across the valley floor, expanses of Joshua tree and juniper scrub host classic Mojave birds such as California Quail, California Thrasher, LeConte’s Thrasher, Cactus Wren, Black‑throated Sparrow, and Greater Roadrunner, among many others. In the afternoon, we explore the lush wetlands and open fields of San Jacinto Wildlife Area. The cattail-filled wetlands offer food and shelter for the endangered Tricolored Blackbird. We watch for flocks of Yellow-headed and Brewer’s Blackbirds, American Bittern, Common Yellowthroat, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, and a variety of sparrows, including Bell’s Sparrow – and waterfowl such as American White Pelicans, Sora, Wilson’s Snipe, and Cinnamon Teal. Today we’ll also catch up with mountain birds including Steller’s and Pinyon Jays, Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Band-tailed Pigeon, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, and Red-breasted Sapsucker, among others. Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites, Palm Desert.   Day 8 — Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, Coachella Valley, & Salton Sea. We start the day early at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, a lush, ribbon-like wetland tucked into the western edge of the San Bernardino Mountains.  Sitting at the transition zone between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the preserve’s mix of desert canyon, mesquite bosque, and expansive cottonwood–willow marsh creates an ecological crossroads that supports extraordinary avian diversity. Target species in this location include California Thrashers, Verdins, California Towhees, Western Tanager, Gambel’s Quail, Black-headed Grosbeak, Rufous Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Hooded Oriole, and Lazuli Bunting, among others.  In the afternoon we explore the shoreline of the Salton Sea, a magnet for large flocks of gulls, shorebirds, and specialty species. Here we scan for Black Skimmers gliding low over the water, large gatherings of gulls (including California and Ring-billed), and a variety of shorebirds foraging along the mudflats. The primarily attraction in the area is the rare Yellow-footed Gull, a post-breeding visitor from the Gulf of California. We also watch for American Avocets, Willets, Black-necked Stilts, and the possibility of rare migrants stopping to refuel - and explore the surrounding agricultural fields, which provide habitat for Burrowing Owls, Horned Larks, Say’s Phoebe, Gambel’s Quail, Western Meadowlark, and Savannah Sparrow. Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites, El Centro.   Day 9 — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and back to San Diego. We begin the day with the golden light of dawn illuminating the vast landscapes of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park. The desert’s resilient birdlife is on full display, and the quiet of the early morning offers the best chance to observe both resident and migratory species before the heat rises. We explore desert washes, ocotillo flats, and rocky outcrops where we search for classic desert specialists such as Crissal, LeConte’s and Sage Thrashers, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Lark and Brewer’s Sparrows, Common Ground Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Verdin, Phainopepla, Bell’s and Black-throated Sparrows, Black Phoebe, and Costa’s Hummingbird. On our way back to San Diego, we make a few stops to track down parrots, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, and California Quail. El Cajon has a large Amazon parrot roost containing mostly introduced Red-crowned and Lilac-crowned Amazons and Red-masked and Monk Parakeets. Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station, San Diego.   Day 10 — Tour Conclusion & Departures. Our Southern California tour concludes today.  If time allows, we will do some birding in the morning near the hotel. Airport drop-off/transfers by no later than 11 am. Participants may depart San Diego International Airport (SAN) after 2 pm.