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

Planting zone for 93504 — California City, CA

ZIP code 93504 (California City, Kern County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 25.

Where ZIP 93504 is

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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 19
First frostNov 25
2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for California City, 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 California City, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 5
Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 8.

From the NOAA station Randsburg, CA — 18 miles away, elevation 3,570 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 93504

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 30 – Oct 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 11 – Dec 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 25) 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 93504 came on Jan 31 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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 California City, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93504 is Alko — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alko-Neuralia sandy loams, 0 to 9 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 93504; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in California City, CA

Summer high101 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,700base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation6.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 46 °F 75°46° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 54 °F 84°54° MayJune: average high 95 °F, low 63 °F 95°63° JunJuly: average high 101 °F, low 69 °F 101°69° JulAugust: average high 100 °F, low 68 °F 100°68° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 62 °F 92°62° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 52 °F 80°52° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.38 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.56 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 1.6 FebMarch: 0.98 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 1.0❄1 MarApril: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 AprMay: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 MayJune: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.47 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.5 NovDecember: 0.69 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 0.7❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Randsburg, CA (18 mi away); precipitation: Randsburg, CA (18 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.

935058b
California City, CA · 7 mi
935198b
Cantil, CA · 10 mi
935238b
Edwards, CA · 13 mi
935549a
Randsburg, CA · 14 mi
935168b
Boron, CA · 18 mi
935968b
Boron, CA · 19 mi
935289a
Johannesburg, CA · 19 mi
935028b
Mojave, CA · 19 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in California City → · California planting zones →

Questions about 93504

What planting zone is ZIP code 93504?

ZIP code 93504 (California City, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in California City, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93504 is March 19; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Randsburg station.

When is the first frost in California City, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93504 is November 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93504?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93504 get?

About 6.7 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Randsburg station).

How hot do summers get in California City, CA?

The average high peaks at 101 °F in July, with about 106 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93504 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alko at the center of ZIP 93504: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in California City, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93504 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in California City, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93504 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.