EPA Level I Region
Mediterranean California
Mediterranean California is the only part of the country with this climate: nearly all the rain falls in winter, and summers are long and dry. It covers the Central Valley, the Bay Area and Central Coast foothills, the Southern California mountains, and the coastal plain from Ventura down to San Diego. Natives like ceanothus, California buckwheat, and toyon evolved around that rhythm and stay presentable through a rainless summer, which is exactly when conventional landscaping starts to look stressed.
Ecoregions inside it: 4. Native range is set at that finer level, so start there rather than here.
Ecoregions with plant lists
Pick the one that covers your yard. Each has its own plant list, conditions, and maintenance notes.
- Central California Foothills and Coastal MountainsEPA Level III 6
- Central California ValleyEPA Level III 7
- Southern California MountainsEPA Level III 8
- Southern California/Northern Baja CoastEPA Level III 85
Not sure which one covers your yard?
Pollinator Patch resolves your ZIP to its ecoregion and builds a front-yard plan tuned to the soil, climate, and HOA expectations where you actually live.