Red-naped Sapsucker, credit Michael Whited
Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles, California The Descanso Gardens are another hot spot for hummingbirds. It sits on 150 acres of land. The plants are a tiny part of why so many people visit the Descanso Gardens. So many birds call this gorgeous place their home. Not only can you see birds, but deer may also be seen feeding on plants during early mornings. Hummingbirds that live or pass through the Descanso Gardens include Calliope hummingbirds, Anna’s hummingbirds, Allen’s hummingbirds, Rufous hummingbirds, Costa’s hummingbirds, and Black- chinned hummingbirds. Huntington Library Gardens, San Marino, California. Interestingly, this unique spot isn’t just a garden. The Huntington is also a library and art museum. The botanical garden section has a surface area of 130 acres and 16 stunning themed gardens. Bird watching is a popular activity for visitors. Hummingbirds you may see in the Huntington Library are Costa’s hummingbirds, Black-chinned hummingbirds, Rufous hummingbirds, Allen’s hummingbirds, and Anna’s hummingbirds. There are also several reptiles in the Huntington Library Gardens, like pond sliders, spiny softshell turtles, and southern alligator lizards.
island environments, making it a mecca for birds and other wildlife. Most hummingbird species in the United States have been spotted here. Watch for: Broad- tailed, black-chinned and Rufous hummingbirds are common, but don’t be surprised if Lucifer, Ruby- throated or Calliope hummers whiz by. Ornithologists found the first-ever Amethyst-throated hummingbird in the U.S. here. Nearby McDonald Observatory and the Nature Conservancy Davis Mountains Preserve maintain bird-viewing stations. Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, California Cabrillo National Monument, a seaside preserve surrounded by urban sprawl, is an oasis for birds and other marine and terrestrial wildlife. The monument has both residential and migratory hummingbirds. Rangers offer guided tours and activities daily. Watch for hummingbirds along the 2 ½-mile Bayside Trail and elsewhere in the park. Watch for: During mating season, male Anna’s hummingbirds perform aerial acrobatics to attract a mate. Numerous coastal species winter here or migrate through, including Allen’s, Rufous, Black- chinned and Costa’s hummingbirds. In April, watch Calliope hummingbirds gather around the blooming bottlebrush trees. Many animals call this area home, including hermit crabs and gray whales.
FLYING GEMS
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 | 14
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