We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you ... you're just helping re-supply our family's travel fund.
California’s sprawling wilderness—from redwood forests to desert canyons—is home to an astonishing range of wildlife, including some of North America’s most striking snakes. While many travelers hope to spot deer, bobcats, or eagles, few realize how visually stunning California’s serpents can be. Most are non-venomous and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Here are ten beautiful snakes you might encounter while exploring the Golden State’s great outdoors.
1. California Kingsnake
Recognizable by its bold black and white (or cream) bands, the California kingsnake is a favorite among nature photographers. It thrives in diverse habitats—from coastal areas to deserts. Non-venomous and known for eating other snakes (even rattlesnakes), it plays a key ecological role and rarely poses a threat to humans.
2. Gopher Snake
Often mistaken for a rattlesnake due to its patterned body and defensive hiss, the gopher snake is entirely harmless. It has a sleek, tan body with dark brown or black blotches, and can grow over six feet long. Found in fields, farmland, and foothills, this snake helps control rodent populations.
3. California Mountain Kingsnake
With its vivid red, black, and white banding, the California mountain kingsnake is one of the state’s most visually arresting reptiles. Found in mountainous regions like the Sierra Nevada and coastal ranges, it’s elusive and often hides under logs or rocks. Its mimicry of venomous coral snakes helps deter predators.
4. Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
This small, nimble snake is common near lakes, streams, and marshes. It often has a greenish-brown body with yellow stripes running lengthwise, sometimes accented with orange or red sides. Its adaptability to wet environments and graceful swimming make it a frequent sight near hiking trails in Northern California.
5. Ring-necked Snake
Tiny and secretive, the ring-necked snake sports a charcoal gray or bluish body with a bright orange or yellow ring around its neck. Its underbelly glows a brilliant orange-red, especially near the tail. It’s nocturnal and often found in leaf litter or beneath rocks in moist forests and coastal zones.
6. California Striped Racer
Also known as the coast whip snake, this slender species is built for speed. With a black or brown body and bold lateral stripes, it darts through chaparral and scrubland in pursuit of lizards or insects. Its agility makes it hard to spot—but thrilling when glimpsed during a daytime hike.
7. Sharp-tailed Snake
This secretive snake is only about a foot long and is distinguished by a sharp, pointed tail tip (used not for defense but possibly digging). Its reddish-brown back and cream-colored belly with black bars make it subtly attractive. It’s often found under moist logs or rocks in oak woodlands and coastal forests.
8. Rosy Boa
One of the few boa species native to the U.S., the rosy boa lives in arid southern California deserts and rocky hillsides. Its smooth body has pink or rosy hues with three darker stripes running lengthwise. Docile and slow-moving, this snake is a favorite among reptile enthusiasts and can live decades in the wild.
9. Western Yellow-bellied Racer
This sleek, fast-moving snake has a vibrant green to olive back and a striking yellow underside. Juveniles are heavily patterned, which changes to solid colors as they mature. Found throughout open grasslands and woodlands, it’s an agile predator and often seen crossing roads or slithering through sunlit trails.
10. Rubber Boa
With a soft, wrinkled texture and a blunt, rounded tail, the rubber boa looks more like a child’s toy than a wild snake. Its brownish or olive skin and calm demeanor make it approachable. Often found under logs in cooler mountain or forested regions, it’s one of the gentlest snakes in California.