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Yes. In September 2026, two olive ridley sea-turtle nests were reported near Seal Beach and Huntington Beach. The Associated Press described the discoveries as the first recorded natural sea-turtle nesting on the U.S. West Coast. They are exceptional reports, not evidence of a regular California nesting season.
Do sea turtles nest in California?
Two olive ridley nests were reported in Southern California in September 2026: one discovered on September 16 and the other on September 19. The Associated Press quoted NOAA’s West Coast Fisheries division describing the event as “the first-ever recorded natural nesting for any sea turtle species” on the West Coast. The reported nests were fenced off.
These discoveries establish that nesting was reported; they do not show that California has a recurring or predictable nesting season. A turtle seen in California waters is not, by itself, evidence that the species nests on a California beach.
Which sea turtles are found in California waters?
Green turtles
NOAA says green turtles have been sighted in the eastern North Pacific from Baja California to southern Alaska, and are most commonly found south of San Diego. Sightings in the region do not establish routine nesting on California beaches.
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Leatherbacks
Leatherbacks forage off California, but NOAA says those turtles originate from western Pacific nesting areas. California waters are therefore foraging habitat, not evidence of a local nesting beach. NOAA reports declines of more than 80 percent in the Western Pacific leatherback population and more than 97 percent in the Eastern Pacific population; these are population declines, not California turtle counts or nesting totals.
Olive ridleys
The September 2026 nests near Seal Beach and Huntington Beach were attributed to olive ridley turtles. The reported event is distinct from the presence of other species in regional waters.
When is sea turtle nesting season in California?
The available reports do not establish a regular California nesting season or a dependable calendar for visitors. The two 2026 nest discoveries were reported in September, but that timing should not be treated as a forecast for future years.
Where can you see sea turtles or nests in California?
Sea turtles may be sighted in California waters, but sightings are not a promise of a viewing opportunity and do not mean a nearby beach has a nest. The two reported 2026 nesting sites were fenced off. Respect fencing and beach-authority instructions; do not travel to, approach, or try to view a protected nest.
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What should you do if you see a sea turtle nest?
- Keep well away from the nest and any turtle, eggs, or hatchlings. Do not touch, move, or uncover them.
- Respect fencing, closures, and directions from beach authorities. The sites reported in 2026 were fenced.
- Keep beaches dark at night. NOAA advises that artificial lights can disorient hatchlings and discourage nesting females.
- Before leaving the beach, remove chairs, umbrellas, and other equipment; fill holes and flatten sand structures.
- Do not drive on nesting beaches.
The reviewed agency guidance does not establish a California-specific public contact for reporting a newly discovered nest. Avoid disturbing it and follow instructions from beach authorities. If a sea turtle is injured, stranded, or entangled, NOAA advises contacting trained responders rather than handling it.
Are there sea turtle hatchlings in California?
The final outcome of the two September 2026 nests has not been established in the cited reports: they do not confirm whether either nest hatched, how many hatchlings there were, or whether any reached the ocean. The Associated Press reported an expected incubation period of 45 to 60 days, but that estimate is not confirmation of a hatch date or outcome.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which agencies are responsible for sea turtles?
NOAA Fisheries leads sea-turtle conservation and recovery at sea, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leads on nesting beaches. Local and state authorities may also have roles; this division is not a complete account of every agency responsibility.
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