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California

Honey bee forage and the honey flow in California

Across 1,618 towns in California, the main honey flow typically runs from about Feb 1 to Apr 30, peaking around Mar 8. First forage worth flying for comes around Jan 1, and the season ends around Sep 30. 2% of towns show a dearth, typically Apr 23 to May 23.

What makes the honey in California

Most common honey plants across the state's towns: clovers: white, alsike and red, garden flowers, dandelion, fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster), roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), summer-flowering shrubs.

Most common bee crops within flight range of towns: grapes, almonds, citrus, alfalfa, apples, cherries.

How the state's towns rank: the median town sits at the 78th percentile of random land across the US.

State-wide figures are medians over the towns below, each scored at its Census center point. Your own spot can differ a lot; check it.

The national forage map over California: darker is more forage for honey bees. Tap anywhere for that spot's report, or open the national map.

Best and lowest of the state's sample

Of 3,000 random land points in California: the best is near Ivanhoe, CA (100th percentile in the US); the lowest is near Twentynine Palms, CA. All notable spots.

Every town in California

1,618 cities, towns, villages, boroughs and census-designated communities, each with its honey flow dates, honey plants, bee crops and ranking.

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    • Oak Glen community · flow Mar 16 to May 15
    • Oak Hills community · flow Feb 16 to May 15
    • Oak Park community · flow Feb 1 to Apr 15
    • Oak Run community · flow Feb 16 to May 15
    • Oak Shores community · flow Feb 16 to Apr 30
    • Oak View community · flow Jan 16 to Apr 30
    • Oakdale city · flow Feb 1 to Mar 15
    • Oakhurst community · flow Feb 16 to May 15
    • Oakland city · flow Jan 16 to Apr 30
    • Oakley city · flow Feb 1 to Mar 15
    • Oakville community · flow Apr 1 to Apr 30
    • Oasis community · flow Mar 1 to Apr 30
    • Occidental community · flow Feb 16 to May 15
    • Oceano community · flow Jan 16 to Apr 15
    • Oceanside city · flow Jan 16 to Apr 15
    • Ocotillo community · flow Jan 16 to Mar 31
    • Oildale community · flow Jan 16 to Apr 30
    • Ojai city · flow Jan 16 to Apr 30
    • Olancha community · flow Feb 16 to May 31
    • Old Fig Garden community · flow Feb 1 to Apr 15
    • Old River community · flow Feb 1 to Mar 15
    • Old Station community · flow May 1 to Jul 15
    • Old Stine community · flow Jan 16 to Apr 30
    • Olde Stockdale community · flow Feb 1 to Apr 30
    • Olivehurst community · flow Feb 1 to Mar 31
    • Ono community · flow Feb 1 to May 15
    • Ontario city · flow Jan 16 to Apr 15
    • Onyx community · flow Mar 16 to May 15
    • Orange city · flow Jan 1 to Apr 15
    • Orange Blossom community · flow Feb 16 to Mar 31
    • Orange Cove city · flow Mar 16 to May 15
    • Orange Park Acres community · flow Jan 1 to Apr 15
    • Orangevale community · flow Feb 1 to Apr 30
    • Orcutt community · flow Jan 16 to Apr 30
    • Orick community · flow Feb 16 to May 15
    • Orinda city · flow Feb 1 to Apr 30
    • Orland city · flow Feb 1 to Mar 31
    • Orosi community · flow Mar 16 to May 15
    • Oroville city · flow Feb 1 to May 15
    • Oroville East community · flow Feb 1 to May 15
    • Oxnard city · flow Jan 16 to Apr 30

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    • Quartz Hill community · flow Feb 1 to May 15
    • Quincy community · flow Apr 1 to Jun 30

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    • Zayante community · flow Feb 1 to Apr 30

    Estimates from public maps (USDA crop maps 2021–2025 averaged, LANDFIRE vegetation), not a survey of the ground. Benchmark 2026.5, built 2026-10-19. How this works · All sources · Other states.