Central California Valley is a nonagricultural region that is hilly or mountainous, forest or shrub-covered, and has a mild, mid-latitude, Mediterranean climate bordering on a mid-latitude desert climate in the south.
Zone
Coastal
Common Name
California Central Valley
CEC Level III Code
11.1.2
CEC Level II Code
11.1 Mediterranean California
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | California Central Valley, Central California Valley, Central Valley, Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, CEC 11.1.2 |
| Geographic Range | The Central California Valley is an elongated basin in the central part of California, covering approximately 45,983 km², differing from adjacent hilly or mountainous, forested ecoregions. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Central California Valley has a mild, mid-latitude Mediterranean climate, characterized by long, hot, dry summers and mild, slightly wet winters. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain primarily consists of flat fluvial plains and terraces with some low or rolling hills, and elevations generally range from sea level to about 210 meters above sea level. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region, once characterized by extensive grasslands and prairies, has been greatly altered, now consisting primarily of agricultural land with remnants of valley oak savanna, riparian woods of oak, willow, and sycamore, and localized occurrences of tule marsh and saltbush communities. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The valley's wildlife includes species such as pronghorn, Tule elk, coyote, and the San Joaquin Valley kit fox, along with various birds and aquatic life like chinook salmon and delta smelt. |
Eco snapshot
The region, once characterized by extensive grasslands and prairies, has been greatly altered, now consisting primarily of agricultural land with remnants of valley oak savanna, riparian woods of oak, willow, and sycamore, and localized occurrences of tule marsh and saltbush communities.
The valley’s wildlife includes species such as pronghorn, Tule elk, coyote, and the San Joaquin Valley kit fox, along with various birds and aquatic life like chinook salmon and delta smelt.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter/early spring | Early nectar/pollen; safe nesting spots starting up | Plant early bloomers; leave some bare soil; avoid “spring cleanup” that removes shelter |
| Spring | Lots of flowers; continuous bloom; nesting materials | Add a mix of native wildflowers + shrubs; plant in clumps; provide shallow water with a landing stone |
| Summer | Heat/drought resilience; reliable nectar; shade/shelter | Prioritize drought-tough natives; water new plants deeply but less often; include some afternoon shade or structure |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms when many landscapes go dry; energy for overwintering | Plant late bloomers; keep at least one area flowering into fall; avoid deadheading everything at once |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter; undisturbed nesting sites; minimal disturbance | Leave stems/leaves in place; keep mulch off some bare ground; plan next season’s plant additions |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: fast, early flowers that kick off the year and feed emerging pollinators.
Summer bridge: heat-tough bloomers that keep nectar available when it’s hot and dry.
Fall finisher: late-season flowers (often shrubs or tough perennials) that carry pollinators into the cooler season.
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
Baccharis is a genus of tough, wildlife-friendly shrubs often used to add structure and long-season nectar to gardens and restoration plantings. If you have a sunny spot and want a low-fuss shrub that can support pollinators, Baccharis is worth a look.
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a flowering shrub known for clouds of blue blooms that can be a big draw for pollinators when it’s planted in the right spot.
Clarkias are cheerful, easy-to-grow wildflowers in the genus Clarkia, known for silky, colorful blooms that can brighten beds, borders, and containers while offering nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Bright, cup-shaped poppy flowers from the genus Eschscholzia that thrive in sunny spots and can add easy, pollinator-friendly color to gardens, pots, and schoolyards.
Sages (genus Salvia) are aromatic, nectar-rich plants that can add long-lasting color and steady pollinator activity to gardens, balconies, and schoolyards.
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
