Young Mountain Lion Spotted Roaming San Francisco Streets

San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood, known more for its sweeping city views and stately homes than encounters with wildlife, found itself at the center of a citywide stir this week after a young mountain lion was spotted prowling the streets and slipping into Lafayette Park. The unexpected feline visitor was first caught on video in the early morning hours of January 26, 2026, near the intersection of Sacramento and Gough streets, just steps away from the popular green space. Later that evening, another sighting was reported at Pacific Avenue and Octavia Street, only two blocks north of the park, according to the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (KGO, KTVU, KRON4).

Experts from San Francisco Animal Care and Control believe the mountain lion, estimated to be about one year old, likely became lost while dispersing from its birthplace. This dispersal behavior is typical for mountain lions of that age, as they leave their mothers in search of new territory. “It’s likely that the mountain lion got lost while dispersing, is confused, and will soon find its way south and out of San Francisco,” Animal Care and Control stated in a social media post (KTVU, KRON4, SF Chronicle).

Residents were both awestruck and alarmed by the presence of the big cat. Madrey Hilton, a local who encountered the mountain lion at 6:02 a.m. while driving to work, managed to capture the animal on video as it darted behind a Muni bus stop and climbed into Lafayette Park. “I swear to god, am I tripping? There’s a [expletive] mountain lion,” Hilton exclaimed in disbelief as she filmed from her car (KTVU). Another resident, Melanie Thai, also spotted the animal early that morning at the corner of Sacramento and Gough streets, watching as it leapt into the park (SF Chronicle).

Onlookers described the mountain lion as “huge,” estimating its weight at over 100 pounds and noting that it stood about two-thirds the height of a city compost bin when on all fours. One resident recounted a tense encounter: “A mountain lion on Octavia Street. A couple of feet from me. It was crouched down like it was going to pounce. We dropped everything and ran” (KRON4). Another neighbor shared on Reddit, “Early this morning while getting dropped off by a friend I witnessed a majestic mountain lion trotting down my block and up the steps to a corridor next to my apartment. Must have weighed 100+ pounds, and when on all fours, it was about 2/3 the height of the compost bin…we locked eyes for a solid 5+ minutes.”

As news of the sightings spread, city officials sprang into action. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued an alert late on January 26, warning residents of the mountain lion’s presence and urging caution. Animal Care and Control, along with the Recreation and Park Department, posted “Mountain Lion Awareness” signs throughout the neighborhood, offering safety tips and instructing the public on what to do if they encountered the animal. The guidance was clear: do not approach the mountain lion, back away slowly without turning or running, and give the animal a wide berth. If accompanied by children, residents were told to pick them up, and to keep dogs securely leashed (KGO, KTVU, Animal Care & Control SF).

Officials further advised that if the mountain lion approaches, people should make themselves appear big and aggressive by waving their arms, shouting, and even throwing objects—but never to run. “The public should remain vigilant, use caution when outdoors, and call Animal Care & Control to report a sighting: (415) 554-9400,” Animal Care and Control emphasized in their statement (KRON4, KTVU).

Lafayette Park, a beloved spot for dog walkers and families, was temporarily closed on the afternoon of January 26 as park rangers, Animal Care and Control officers, and staff from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a thorough search for the big cat. After a sweep turned up no signs of the mountain lion, the park was reopened, but not without warning signs and rangers stationed to inform visitors of the recent events (SF Chronicle, KGO).

For some residents, the incident was a source of both fascination and anxiety. Manuel Cases, who was walking his dogs near the park, voiced his concerns to KGO: “We love to see things like this like so much wildlife in the city. But a little bit concerned because you know little puppies. So we are not coming in until we know everything is safe.” Others, like Ben Lawson, took a more relaxed view, remarking, “It feels like it would be more scared of us. It would be so rare.” Still, the presence of the mountain lion led to a noticeable decrease in park visitors, especially dog owners. Chris Hill, a local resident, observed, “I believe there were ‘60% to 70%’ fewer dogs at the park that day, but I wasn’t sure if it was because of the mountain lion sighting. I still don’t want them to get mauled” (SF Chronicle).

Simran Alden, another dog owner, noted that wildlife sightings in San Francisco have become more frequent in recent years. “It’s crazy,” she said. “Where is the mountain lion coming from?” (SF Chronicle). According to Animal Care and Control, mountain lions occasionally wander into urban areas while searching for new territory. The last confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in San Francisco was in 2021, in the Bernal Heights neighborhood.

Officials believe that, given its age and behavior, the mountain lion will likely continue its journey southward and eventually leave the city on its own. In the meantime, the city’s message is one of vigilance and respect for wildlife. Residents are encouraged to report any additional sightings to Animal Care & Control at (415) 554-9400 and to review the safety guidelines posted throughout the neighborhood.

While the mountain lion’s visit to Pacific Heights has certainly unsettled some and sparked curiosity in others, it also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between urban life and the wild spaces that surround it. For now, San Francisco remains watchful, hoping the young feline finds its way home without further incident.