Crotalus oreganus oreganus is one of 7 species of rattler in California, they become more active in the spring engaging in courtship and mating as the weather warms. Rattlesnakes are viviparous (giving birth to live young) and can have up to a couple dozen babies later in the summer. Both of these two individuals were found near a sunny rock outcropping where that alarming sound of the rattle was heard before they were seen or stepped on (thankfully).
