Longer days mean more time outside and we’re not the only ones soaking it in.
In coastal San Diego, summer brings a little more movement from our wild neighbors. From the familiar sound of rustling in the canyon brush to a surprise fox sighting along the bluff, these seasonal shifts are part of the rhythm that comes with life near San Diego’s open spaces.
Over the past month, we’ve heard locals in North County mention small foxes appearing in yards near the bluffs—quick, curious, and gone in a flash. Add in rattlesnakes stretching out in the sun, coyotes passing through open trails, and the occasional bobcat crossing a quiet street, and it’s clear: we live somewhere where nature still moves.
This week, we’re sharing a few tips and things to know to help you prep your yard, keep your pets safe, and enjoy the season with a little more awareness—and a lot of appreciation.
Bluff Foxes: Quiet Yard Visitors
Photo Retrieved by Encinitas Mag.
Every so often, nature offers a moment that makes you pause. Over the past few weeks, homeowners along the North County bluffs have spotted something special: small foxes quietly weaving through coastal yards, often in the early morning or just before sunset.
Last Month, Encinitas Magazine shared a rare image of two foxes perched on a bluffside deck in Leucadia (as shown in photo above). The sighting quickly caught the attention of locals, as these animals are rarely seen during the day. According to the magazine, the foxes are thought to live nearby and play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by naturally controlling rodent populations. Though typically nocturnal, they may emerge in daylight, especially when hunting or caring for their young.¹
Separately, one of our team members who grew up near the bluff in Encinitas had never seen a fox in the area until recently, but has now seen two within the last few weeks in her own yard. Both sightings were quick, quiet, and unforgettable.
They’re shy by nature and rarely linger long, but if you do catch a glimpse, enjoy it from a distance. Keeping pet food and trash secured helps ensure they continue to move safely through. It’s a small reminder that we’re not the only ones who call this stretch of coast home, and that even our everyday landscapes are part of something much wilder.
Snake Season: Subtle, but Present
Photo Retrieved from SD Natural History Museum
If you’ve lived here for a few summers, you know snake season isn’t just a desert thing. Rattlesnakes are part of the San Diego landscape, especially from spring through early fall, with activity picking up as temperatures rise. These are venomous animals, and while they tend to avoid confrontation, they will defend themselves if they feel cornered or threatened. As they
search for cooler places to rest, they may turn up along shady trails, beneath wood piles, or in quiet corners of patios and garages.
Photo Retrieved from SD Natural History Museum
If your home backs up to open space, a few small steps can help. Trim overgrown brush, keep garage and shed doors closed, and avoid leaving out bird seed or pet food, which can attract rodents and, in turn, snakes. Some homeowners also opt to install snake fencing—a fine mesh barrier along the bottom of a yard fence that extends underground—as an added layer of protection.
Keeping an eye out is especially important if you have curious pets who like to explore the yard. A little awareness goes a long way in keeping your furry friends safe. If you do come across a rattlesnake, give it space and avoid trying to move it. Most will leave on their own, but awareness and distance are key to keeping everyone safe.
Coyotes & Bobcats: Canyon Crossers
Photo Retrieved by Native Animal Rescue
While not new to the area, coyotes and bobcats are being spotted more often in San Diego neighborhoods, especially those near canyons, trails, or open space. They’re not typically a threat to humans, but both are skilled hunters—particularly when it comes to small pets left unsupervised outdoors.
Coyotes tend to be more visible, often seen trotting along fence lines or quiet streets at dawn or dusk. Bobcats, on the other hand, are solitary and elusive. Most sightings are brief and quiet, with the animal moving quickly through a yard or across a hillside trail. If you’re on the Ring app or Nextdoor, you’ve probably seen neighbors sharing videos from home security cameras, capturing or warning others about these quiet pass-throughs.
The best approach is to give these animals their space and take a few common-sense precautions: bring in pet food, secure trash, and supervise small pets, especially during early morning or evening hours. If you do come across one, stay calm and avoid turning your back.
In a place where neighborhoods sit right up against natural corridors, wildlife sightings come with the territory. Staying aware and respectful goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
Living near trails, canyons, and coastline often comes with the occasional wildlife sighting. These animals have long called this region home, and as neighborhoods continue to grow along the edges of natural spaces, it’s not unusual to cross paths now and then.
These seasonal shifts are simply a reminder to stay in tune with the rhythms of the place we call home. A little awareness goes a long way. Whether it’s clearing brush in your yard or keeping an eye on your pup on the trails, it all comes down to balance and respect.
Seen anything wild lately? We’d love to hear your neighborhood nature stories—whether it’s a fox at sunset or a snake warming itself by the trail. If you’re thinking about buying or selling near one of San Diego’s many open spaces, we’re always here to talk through what that lifestyle really looks like, curious critters included.
Disclaimer: We’re not wildlife experts—just locals who live alongside these animals and care about sharing the space responsibly. For official guidance or assistance, please contact your local animal control or wildlife department.
Bibliography
¹ Encinitas Magazine, Instagram post, May 2025. https://www.instagram.com/p/C7G3QAXxTIL/
² San Diego Natural History Museum. “San Diego’s Rattlesnakes and What to Do When They’re on Your Property,” The Nat Blog, April 18, 2022.
https://www.sdnhm.org/blog/blog_details/san-diegos-rattlesnakes-and-what-to-do-when-theyre-on-your-property/190/