California Time Information - What Time is in California
California is the most populous and economically powerful state in the United States, located on the West Coast. What time is in California follows the Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8/UTC-7), observing Daylight Saving Time during summer months. The state includes major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento, serving as the global center for technology innovation, entertainment industry, and agriculture.
California follows Pacific Standard Time (PST) which is UTC-8. During Daylight Saving Time (from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November), California observes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) which is UTC-7. This time zone covers the entire state and is shared with other western US states including Washington, Oregon, and Nevada.
Time Difference from California to Major Cities
| City | Time Difference | Current Time |
|---|---|---|
| New York | +3 hours | |
| Houston | +2 hours | |
| London | +8/+7 hours | |
| Beijing | +16/+15 hours | |
| Tokyo | +17/+16 hours |
*Time differences may vary during DST changes. California uses PST (UTC-8) in winter and PDT (UTC-7) during DST.
Frequently Asked Questions about California Time
What time is in California now?
The current time in California is displayed above. California follows Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) or Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) during DST. All cities in California use the same time.
What time zone is California in?
California is in the Pacific Time Zone (PT). It observes Pacific Standard Time (PST) in winter, which is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8), and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in summer, which is 7 hours behind UTC (UTC-7).
Does California observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, California observes Daylight Saving Time. Clocks are set forward by one hour on the second Sunday of March (at 2:00 AM local time), and set back by one hour on the first Sunday of November (at 2:00 AM local time).
What is the time difference between California and New York?
New York is 3 hours ahead of California. When it's 9:00 AM in California, it's 12:00 PM (noon) in New York. This time difference remains constant throughout the year as both regions observe Daylight Saving Time on the same schedule.
What is the time difference between California and Beijing?
Beijing is typically 16 hours ahead of California (15 hours during California's Daylight Saving Time). When it's noon in California, it's 4:00 AM the next day in Beijing. This large time difference requires careful planning for business communications.
Do all California cities use the same time?
Yes, all cities in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, etc.) use the same Pacific Time. The entire state follows uniform time standards.
About California Time - What Time is in California
Need to know what time is in California right now? World Time offers accurate real-time clock for California, including Pacific Time Zone (PST/PDT) updates and live comparisons with cities like New York, London, Beijing, and Tokyo. This page helps travelers, business professionals, tech industry workers, and global teams coordinate meetings across time zones. As the innovation capital of the world and a major business hub, understanding California time differences is essential for international communication and scheduling.
California serves as the economic engine of the United States and a global center for technology, entertainment, and agriculture. The state's Pacific Time Zone makes it ideal for businesses coordinating with Asian markets, as California's evening hours align with Asia's business day. Whether you're scheduling a Silicon Valley tech meeting, coordinating Hollywood production, or planning agricultural operations, knowing what time is in California is crucial for success.