California Frost Dates
Published: February 1, 2026 · Updated: April 23, 2026
Last Spring Frost
March 15
Zone 7a
First Fall Frost
November 15
Zone 7a
Frost-Free Season
245 days
Mid-March to Late November
Lawn Care Timing for California
Spring fertiliserMid-March
Overseed windowSeptember 15–October 15
Fall fertiliserOctober
Winterise byLate November
Vegetable Garden Timing for California
Start seeds indoorsLate December
Transplant outdoorsAfter March 15
Direct sow cool-seasonLate January
Direct sow warm-seasonAfter March 22
Fall garden startSeptember 15
Frost Dates by City in California
Los AngelesZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeSan FranciscoZone 10b · Last frost: Frost-freeSan DiegoZone 10b · Last frost: Frost-freeRiversideZone 9b · Last frost: January 15SacramentoZone 9b · Last frost: January 15San JoseZone 9b · Last frost: January 15FresnoZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Mission ViejoZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeBakersfieldZone 9b · Last frost: January 15ConcordZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Long BeachZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeOaklandZone 10b · Last frost: Frost-freeStocktonZone 9b · Last frost: January 15OxnardZone 7b · Last frost: March 1IndioZone 7b · Last frost: March 1VictorvilleZone 7b · Last frost: March 1ModestoZone 9b · Last frost: January 15AnaheimZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeAntiochZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Santa AnaZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeIrvineZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeSanta RosaZone 6b · Last frost: March 22Chula VistaZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeSanta ClaritaZone 7b · Last frost: March 1FremontZone 9b · Last frost: January 15San BernardinoZone 9b · Last frost: January 15FontanaZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Moreno ValleyZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Thousand OaksZone 7b · Last frost: March 1Santa BarbaraZone 7b · Last frost: March 1Huntington BeachZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeGlendaleZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeHemetZone 7b · Last frost: March 1OntarioZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Elk GroveZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Rancho CucamongaZone 9b · Last frost: January 15SalinasZone 7a · Last frost: March 15VallejoZone 6b · Last frost: March 22OceansideZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeGarden GroveZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeLancasterZone 7b · Last frost: March 1VisaliaZone 9b · Last frost: January 15PalmdaleZone 7b · Last frost: March 1Santa CruzZone 7a · Last frost: March 15MercedZone 6b · Last frost: March 22CoronaZone 9b · Last frost: January 15HaywardZone 9b · Last frost: January 15RosevilleZone 9b · Last frost: January 15SunnyvaleZone 9b · Last frost: January 15FairfieldZone 6b · Last frost: March 22EscondidoZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freePomonaZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Santa MariaZone 7b · Last frost: March 1TorranceZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeFullertonZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeOrangeZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freePasadenaZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeSanta ClaraZone 9b · Last frost: January 15Simi ValleyZone 7b · Last frost: March 1ClovisZone 7a · Last frost: March 15Yuba CityZone 6a · Last frost: March 30SeasideZone 7a · Last frost: March 15BerkeleyZone 10b · Last frost: Frost-freeReddingZone 6a · Last frost: March 30GilroyZone 6b · Last frost: March 22RichmondZone 6b · Last frost: March 22CarlsbadZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeMurrietaZone 9b · Last frost: January 15East Los AngelesZone 7b · Last frost: March 1TemeculaZone 9b · Last frost: January 15DowneyZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeCosta MesaZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeMenifeeZone 7b · Last frost: March 1San BuenaventuraZone 7b · Last frost: March 1ChicoZone 6a · Last frost: March 30West CovinaZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeJurupa ValleyZone 7b · Last frost: March 1El MonteZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeInglewoodZone 7b · Last frost: March 1BurbankZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeEl CajonZone 8a · Last frost: February 15RialtoZone 7b · Last frost: March 1San MateoZone 10b · Last frost: Frost-freeVacavilleZone 6b · Last frost: March 22Daly CityZone 10b · Last frost: Frost-freeHesperiaZone 7b · Last frost: March 1NorwalkZone 10a · Last frost: Frost-freeVistaZone 7b · Last frost: March 1TracyZone 6b · Last frost: March 22Arden-ArcadeZone 6b · Last frost: March 22San MarcosZone 7b · Last frost: March 1MantecaZone 6b · Last frost: March 22
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date in California?
The average last spring frost in California (zone 7a) is March 15. Dates vary by city and elevation. Find your specific city below for exact dates.
When is it safe to plant tomatoes in California?
Transplant tomato seedlings outdoors after March 15 — the average last frost date for zone 7a. Start seeds indoors Late December. Wait 2 weeks after last frost for extra safety.
When should I overseed my lawn in California?
The prime overseeding window in California is September 15–October 15. This ensures 6 weeks of warm soil for germination before the first fall frost on November 15.
When should I apply winteriser in California?
Apply winteriser fertiliser by Late November. Your first fall frost of November 15 is the hard deadline — apply at least 2–3 weeks before.
What USDA zone is California?
California contains USDA zones 10a, 10b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9b. Each zone has different frost dates and growing seasons. Find your city below for your specific zone.