Aurora is visible from California only during rare, extreme storms. In central California the geomagnetic latitude is about 43°, so the northern lights usually need a Kp index of about 9.0 or higher to appear low on the northern horizon; the north of the state (around Loretta Falls) needs about Kp 7.5.
Kp needed (center)
Kp 9.0
geomag. lat 43°
Kp needed (north)
Kp 7.5
Loretta Falls
Kp needed (south)
Kp 9.0
Border Field State Park
Kp needed in California cities
| City | Geomagnetic lat. | Kp needed | City sky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 40.2° | Kp 9.0 | 9 |
| San Diego | 39.0° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| San Jose | 43.0° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| San Francisco | 43.3° | Kp 9.0 | 9 |
| Fresno | 42.7° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Sacramento | 44.3° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| Long Beach | 39.9° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| Oakland | 43.4° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| Bakersfield | 41.4° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Anaheim | 40.0° | Kp 9.0 | 9 |
| Riverside | 40.2° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| Santa Ana | 39.9° | Kp 9.0 | 9 |
| Stockton | 43.7° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Chula Vista | 38.9° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| Irvine | 39.9° | Kp 9.0 | 9 |
Approximate Kp for aurora low on the northern horizon (camera-visible). Higher Kp lets it climb higher and show color to the eye.
Dark, northern photo locations in California
| Location | Type | County | Est. Bortle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park | State Park | Humboldt County | 1 |
| Humboldt Redwoods State Park | State Park | Humboldt County | 2 |
| Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park | State Park | Modoc County | 1 |
| McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park | State Park | Shasta County | 2 |
| Sue-meg State Park | State Park | Humboldt County | 1 |
| Richardson Grove State Park | State Park | Humboldt County | 1 |
| Sinkyone Wilderness State Park | State Park | Mendocino County | 1 |
| Bunchgrass Overlook | Scenic Viewpoint | Siskiyou County | 1 |
| East Wildlife Overlook | Scenic Viewpoint | Modoc County | 1 |
| Lookout Point | Scenic Viewpoint | Humboldt County | 2 |
| Lookout Point Trail | Scenic Viewpoint | Humboldt County | 1 |
| Mount Vida Vista Scene Viewpoint | Scenic Viewpoint | Modoc County | 1 |
How to photograph the northern lights
- Watch the live Kp forecast above and NOAA's 30-minute aurora forecast; storms often peak between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
- Find an unobstructed view to the north — a lake, open field or ridge — away from town lights.
- Start at ISO 1600–3200, f/2.8 or faster, 5–15 seconds; shorter exposures keep fast-moving curtains sharp.
- Your camera sees aurora as green or red long before your eyes do — take test shots whenever Kp is near the threshold.
- Moonlight lights the foreground but washes out faint aurora; strong storms are still worth shooting under a bright moon.
FAQ
Can you see the northern lights in California?
Yes, only during rare, extreme storms. Central California usually needs about Kp 9.0; the north about Kp 7.5.
What Kp index do I need?
Roughly Kp 9.0+ for central California. Kp is a 0–9 scale of geomagnetic activity; each step moves the aurora's southern edge a few degrees of latitude.
Where is the best place to see the aurora in California?
Dark sites with a clear northern view, such as Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park.