Valle Vista, California: Nightly Bat Swarm

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:: Fairview Ave., Valle Vista, CA
Directions:: South edge of town. From Hwy 74/Florida Ave. turn south at the stoplight (public library on the corner) onto Fairview Ave. Drive one mile. The road crosses a dry flood control channel, and the bats roost under the bridge. This is a seasonal attraction; the bats are gone from mid-Autumn through mid-Spring.
Hours:: Evenings at dusk. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Every evening during the summer, thousands of bats fly out from beneath a bridge to begin their nightly bug-eating frenzy in nearby citrus groves.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [09/16/2012]

Visitor Tips and News About Nightly Bat Swarm

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Nightly Bat Swarm

With sunset at 7:30 pm, we were there from 6:45 to 8 pm. Nothing. Not a single bat, and there were tons of insects buzzing around our faces the whole time. What happened to the bats?

[Ric Erwin, 08/21/2020]

Unfortunately, animals in the wild have a habit of doing what they want, regardless of our expectations. Sounds like the bats missed out on a good dinner.

Bats at sunset.

Nightly Bat Swarm

I recommend standing on the overpass looking westbound into the sunset itself for best viewing. You'll also see, hear and smell the bats right below where you stand, as they swarm out and into the sunset. You'll know you're at the right place from the black guano stains (and smells) on the river bottom below where the bats hang when they aren't swarming.

[Matt Gordon, 06/07/2015]