California is without doubt one of the best birdwatching destinations in the United States, boasting a bird list of more than 600 species. This diversity results from the occurrence of a remarkable variety of habitats, not least of which is a wonderfully scenic coastline of some 1,500 miles. Seabirds and shorebirds abound and one of the major highlights of this tour will be a pelagic trip in Monterey Bay that promises albatrosses, shearwaters, storm-petrels, alcids and much more, including Blue & Humpback Whales. Two species, Yellow-billed Magpie and Island Scrub-Jay are endemic to California and to make sure of seeing the latter we will be taking a boat to Santa Cruz Island, the only place in the world that it occurs. Away from the coast, we will be spending two days in Yosemite National Park where we will look down some 3,200 feet from Glacier Point to the valley below, an irresistible distraction from the main business of birdwatching.