The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) forages on the coastal cliff in La Jolla, California. The California ground squirrel, also known as the Beechey ground squirrel, is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California Peninsula it is common in Oregon and California. HTBphotos by John and Katharina Notarianni for websites, print and other media.