What Time Is It in California? Current Local Time Now

California runs on Pacific Time. This is the local time used in all cities across the state. From Los Angeles to San Francisco, the clocks follow the same schedule every day.

This page helps you check the exact time in California. It updates live. You don’t need to guess or search again.

Many people want to know California’s current time. Travelers, business owners, students, and people working online often need this. Time zones can be confusing. That’s why we made this page simple and clear.

You’ll find a live clock below. It shows the correct time in California right now. You’ll also learn about the time zone, daylight saving, and how California time compares with other parts of the world.

Scroll down to see more.

Live Clock – Current Time in California (Pacific Time)

The clock below shows the exact time in California right now. It runs on Pacific Time, which is the time zone for the entire state. This live clock updates every second. You don’t need to refresh the page. It works on all devices including phones, tablets, and computers.

This time is accurate for cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento. Every city in California follows the same clock. You’ll learn more about that below.

What Time Zone Is California In?

California uses the Pacific Time Zone. It’s often written as PT. This zone covers the entire state from north to south.

There are two versions of Pacific Time:

• Pacific Standard Time (PST) – during fall and winter
• Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) – during spring and summer

In winter, California is 8 hours behind UTC (called UTC-8).
In summer, it’s 7 hours behind UTC (called UTC-7).

The time zone stays the same across every city. Whether you are in a big city like Los Angeles or a smaller place like Napa, the time does not change.

This time zone helps keep everything in sync, from flights to meetings to events. It also matches the time in nearby states like Oregon and Washington.

Do All Cities in California Use the Same Time?

Yes. Every city in California follows the same time zone—Pacific Time.

There are no separate time zones inside the state. Whether you are in the mountains, the desert, or by the coast, the time stays the same.

This makes things simple. People in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento all check the same clock.

Here’s a quick look at some well-known cities using Pacific Time:

City	Time Zone
Los Angeles	Pacific Time
San Francisco	Pacific Time
San Diego	Pacific Time
Sacramento	Pacific Time
San Jose	Pacific Time
Fresno	Pacific Time
Oakland	Pacific Time
Bakersfield	Pacific Time
Anaheim	Pacific Time
Santa Barbara	Pacific Time

No matter where you are in California, the time on this page is correct for your location.

Does California Use Daylight Saving Time?

Yes. California follows Daylight Saving Time every year. This means the clocks change two times during the year.

Here’s how it works:

• In March, the clock moves forward by one hour. This starts Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
• In November, the clock moves back by one hour. This returns to Pacific Standard Time (PST).

Key Dates:

• Starts: Second Sunday in March
• Ends: First Sunday in November

During Daylight Time, the sun sets later in the evening. Many people enjoy longer daylight hours in spring and summer.

The live clock on this page updates with daylight saving. You don’t have to change anything—it always shows the right time in California.

Time Difference Between California and Other Places

California’s time can be earlier or later than other cities around the world. This depends on your location and whether daylight saving is active.

Here’s a simple table to help:

Location	Time Difference from California
New York	+3 hours ahead
Chicago	+2 hours ahead
Denver	+1 hour ahead
Las Vegas	Same time
London (UK)	+8 hours ahead (PST) / +7 (PDT)
Sydney (Australia)	+19 hours (PST) / +17 (PDT)
Tokyo (Japan)	+17 hours (PST) / +16 (PDT)
Dubai (UAE)	+12 hours (PST) / +11 (PDT)

This table is helpful for planning:

• Meetings or video calls
• Travel or flight schedules
• Watching sports or live events
• Sending emails at the right time

Always use the live clock on this page to stay accurate. Time zones can shift during daylight saving, but this clock stays current.

Why Knowing the Time in California Matters

Many people need to know the exact time in California every day. This isn’t just about curiosity. Time plays a key role in work, travel, events, and daily life.

Here are a few reasons why it’s important:

• Remote Work: Teams in other time zones need to match hours with people in California
• Travel Planning: Flights, check-ins, and tours follow local time
• Live Events: Sports, concerts, and shows in California run on Pacific Time
• Business Meetings: Many companies in California work with partners across the world
• Online Stores: Sales and deals often start and end by California time
• Stock Market Timing: The Nasdaq and NYSE open at 6:30 AM in California

Knowing the time helps you avoid mistakes. You don’t miss calls, deadlines, or live events.

This page gives you the current time in California at all times. It’s fast, easy, and always right.

FAQs About California Time