I never expected to lock eyes with a mountain lion just beyond the patio glass—but that’s exactly what happened during a quiet morning in suburban California.
Once elusive and tucked deep in the wilderness, these majestic cats are now showing up in some of the state’s most unexpected places.
From high-tech neighborhoods in Silicon Valley to backyard pools in Thousand Oaks, mountain lions are becoming surprisingly familiar visitors.
Here’s a closer look at five California cities where these wild icons now live closer to humans than ever before.
1. Los Angeles: Hollywood’s Wildest Stars
P-22, the most famous mountain lion in America, turned Griffith Park into his personal bachelor pad for a decade! This charismatic cat crossed two major freeways to reach his 8-square-mile territory, becoming an unlikely celebrity in the process.
During my visit to L.A. last year, rangers showed me paw prints near the Hollywood sign where P-22 once roamed. Although he passed away in 2022, other cougars continue to navigate the city’s urban-wildland interface.
Residents in neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and even the Hollywood Hills occasionally spot these tawny predators slinking between mansions or lounging in jacaranda trees. The city has responded with wildlife corridors and education programs to help humans and lions coexist peacefully.
2. Santa Cruz: Coastal Cats Among Redwoods
Surfboards and mountain lions don’t typically mix, but in Santa Cruz, both are part of local culture! The dense redwood forests surrounding this beachside community provide perfect cover for these stealthy predators.
My college roommate who lives near UCSC campus keeps a special wildlife camera in her backyard. She’s captured stunning nighttime footage of mountain lions prowling through her property at least once a month.
The university itself regularly issues mountain lion advisories, especially around the wooded upper campus areas. Residents in neighborhoods like Bonny Doon and the San Lorenzo Valley have grown accustomed to sharing space with these magnificent cats. Local conservation groups host workshops teaching residents how to secure trash, protect pets, and respond appropriately to mountain lion encounters.
3. Cupertino: Silicon Valley’s Feline Neighbors
Who would have thought Apple’s sleek headquarters would share territory with America’s most elusive feline? Cupertino’s blend of tech campuses and open space preserves creates a unique environment where mountain lions regularly appear.
Walking through Rancho San Antonio Preserve last spring, I nearly jumped out of my skin when a park ranger pointed out fresh mountain lion tracks crossing the trail. The cats frequently move between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the valley floor, hunting deer and smaller prey.
Residents in neighborhoods near Stevens Creek or Montebello Road sometimes spot these tawny visitors at dawn or dusk. The city has installed wildlife-friendly lighting in some areas and distributes educational materials about coexisting with these powerful wildlife neighbors. Motion-activated sprinklers have become a popular deterrent for homeowners wanting to discourage curious cats.
4. Simi Valley: Suburban Savanna Cats
“Mountain lion on Sycamore Drive!” blared from my aunt’s neighborhood alert app when I visited Simi Valley last Christmas. These suburban streets, nestled against the Santa Susana Mountains, have become regular hunting grounds for the region’s top of the local food chain.
The city’s expansive parks and golf courses, particularly those near the Reagan Library, provide green corridors for lions moving between larger habitat patches. Drought conditions have pushed more mountain lions into residential areas searching for water and prey.
Local police respond to several mountain lion sightings monthly, especially in neighborhoods backing up to hillsides or open space. The community has embraced their wild neighbors by creating the “Simi Lion Watch” program, where residents share information about sightings and learn proper safety protocols. Some homeowners have installed special fencing designed to protect pets while allowing wildlife to move around natural corridors.
5. Thousand Oaks: Living Up To Its Wild Name
Thousand Oaks wasn’t named for mountain lions, but it might as well have been! I nearly spilled my coffee when my brother-in-law casually mentioned spotting one drinking from his pool last summer in this aptly named city.
Nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains, Thousand Oaks features numerous ravines and greenbelts that serve as perfect highways for mountain lions moving between wilderness areas. The city’s proximity to the National Park Service’s mountain lion study area means these cats are among the most closely monitored urban predators in the world.
Neighborhoods like Newbury Park and Westlake Village regularly report sightings, especially during fall and winter months. The city has pioneered innovative approaches to human-wildlife conflict, including designated wildlife crossings over the 101 freeway. Local ordinances even require certain properties to maintain wildlife-friendly landscaping and lighting to minimize disruption to nocturnal animals.