what time zone is it in california?
Pacific Time Zone UTC-8
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 Among major U.S. cities , San Francisco has the coolest daily mean , maximum , and minimum temperatures for June , July , and August . During the summer , rising hot air in California 's interior valleys creates a low pressure area that draws winds from the North Pacific High through the Golden Gate , which creates the city 's characteristic cool winds and fog . The fog is less pronounced in eastern neighborhoods and during the late summer and early fall , which is the warmest time of the year . 

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 The state of California is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire , an area of highly active tectonic activity that includes seismicity and volcanism . Tehama and the other volcanoes near Lassen Peak were produced by subduction of the oceanic Pacific Plate under the North American Plate . 

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 With an estimated population of 1 @,@ 394 @,@ 928 as of July 1 , 2015 , San Diego is the eighth @-@ largest city in the United States and second @-@ largest in California . It is part of the San Diego – Tijuana conurbation , the second @-@ largest transborder agglomeration between the US and a bordering country after Detroit – Windsor , with a population of 4 @,@ 922 @,@ 723 people . San Diego is the birthplace of California and is known for its mild year @-@ round climate , natural deep @-@ water harbor , extensive beaches , long association with the United States Navy and recent emergence as a healthcare and biotechnology development center . 

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 The southwestern United States is one of the world 's best areas for insolation , and the Mojave Desert receives up to twice the sunlight received in other regions of the country . This abundance of solar energy makes solar power plants a cleaner alternative to traditional power plants , which burn fossil fuels such as oil and coal . Solar power stations provide an environmentally benign source of energy , produce virtually no emissions , and consume no fuel other than sunlight . Some groups are also encouraging more distributed generation , or rooftop solar . 

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 San Francisco 's climate is characteristic of the cool @-@ summer Mediterranean climate ( Csb ) of California ’ s coast , with moist mild winters and dry summers . San Francisco 's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city , and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east . Being surrounded by water moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year @-@ round climate with little seasonal temperature variation . 
