Fall in Southern California: A Coastal Chaparral Journey

It’s Fall in Southern California – our sweet summer is gone, and change is underway across the Coastal Chaparral and Sage scrub, even if it’s subtle at first glance. Cooler days bring new rhythms here as plants, animals, and insects adjust to the season.

Join us as we explore the shifting landscape. Many species begin to slow down, entering a state of brumation or dormancy, making wildlife sightings more rare and rewarding. While some critters hide away, others adapt in unique ways, and even the weather adds to this mystery, blending new patterns with familiar ones.

What will we find as we navigate the quiet paths and trails? Perhaps we’ll spot a Phoebe—the little bird known for its resilience through the seasons—perched and observing, a living snapshot of survival and adaptability in the chaparral. Will it lead us to new discoveries among the sage scrub, or show us the calm beauty that lies hidden in plain sight?

Subscribe to follow the journey and uncover what the season brings to Southern California's wild heart.