Central California Valley

The Central California Valley runs from Redding down past Bakersfield and holds most of the state’s farmland, along with Sacramento, Fresno, and a string of fast-growing suburbs. Summers are long, hot, and dry, and winters bring nearly all of the rain. Natives from this valley floor, think valley oak, California fuchsia, and deergrass, are built for that rhythm and settle in well in front yards that get full sun.

Conditions: Deep alluvial soils, hot dry summers, 10–20 inches of winter rainfall, frequent summer water restrictions.

Cities and areas: Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, Modesto, Davis.