Sunset's climate zone maps take all of these factors into account, unlike the well-known hardiness zone maps designed by the United States Department of Agriculture, which divides most of North America into zones based strictly on winter lows. Find your sunset zone by choosing one of the following regions. California has 13 planting zones, ranging from zone 5a to zone 11a, according to the USDA. Planting zones in California are scientifically defined regions that are classified according to annual average minimum winter temperatures.
These zones help gardeners and farmers determine which plants and crops are best suited to growing in a specific location. Zone 8a, shown in a light yellow color, covers significant parts of Northern California and the highest elevations in the center of California.
