Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 93117 — Goleta, CA

ZIP code 93117 (Goleta, Santa Barbara County) is in USDA zone 10a: the coldest winter night averages 30 to 35 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 93117 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone10a30 to 35 °F
Coldest night−1.1 to 1.7 °C
Last frostApr 11
First frostNov 8
2012 zone9b

Was 9b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 10a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Goleta, CA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Goleta, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 27 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Cachuma Lake, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 791 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 93117

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Nov 8) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 93117 came on Jan 17 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Goleta, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93117 is Capitan — cobbly clay loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Capitan cobbly clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 93117; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Goleta, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August
Winter low33 °Faverage low, December
Hot days86days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,910base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation21.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 67 °F, low 34 °F 67°34° JanFebruary: average high 68 °F, low 35 °F 68°35° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 38 °F 71°38° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 39 °F 76°39° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 43 °F 80°43° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 45 °F 86°45° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 48 °F 92°48° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 49 °F 93°49° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 47 °F 91°47° SepOctober: average high 84 °F, low 43 °F 84°43° OctNovember: average high 75 °F, low 38 °F 75°38° NovDecember: average high 67 °F, low 33 °F 67°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 JanFebruary: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 FebMarch: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cachuma Lake, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Cachuma Lake, CA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

934639a
Solvang, CA · 9 mi
9310710a
Santa Barbara, CA · 13 mi
934649a
Solvang, CA · 14 mi
9310610a
Santa Barbara, CA · 14 mi
9342710a
Buellton, CA · 14 mi
9311610a
Goleta, CA · 15 mi
9311810a
Goleta, CA · 15 mi
9311110a
Santa Barbara, CA · 16 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Goleta → · California planting zones →

Questions about 93117

What planting zone is ZIP code 93117?

ZIP code 93117 (Goleta, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 10a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 30 to 35 °F (−1.1 to 1.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Goleta, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93117 is April 11; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cachuma Lake station.

When is the first frost in Goleta, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93117 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93117?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93117 get?

About 21.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cachuma Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Goleta, CA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 86 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93117 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Capitan at the center of ZIP 93117: cobbly clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Goleta, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93117 came on Jan 17 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Goleta, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93117 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93117 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93117 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 10a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.