CALIFORNIA — The night after Halloween brings an extra hour for Californians. Early Sunday, November 1, 2026, daylight saving time ends across the state. At 2:00 a.m., clocks turn back to 1:00 a.m., returning California to Pacific Standard Time (PST).

When exactly do the clocks change?

The switch happens overnight from Saturday, October 31, to Sunday, November 1. At 2:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), the clock returns to 1:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). That means the hour between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. occurs twice. Sunday lasts 25 hours instead of the usual 24.

Smartphones, computers and most internet-connected devices generally update automatically. Residents should check analog clocks, ovens, microwaves, vehicle dashboards, alarm clocks and other devices that may need manual adjustment. People working overnight or catching early transportation should double-check schedules and time-zone settings.

Why do we change the time?

Daylight saving time shifts the clock forward by an hour in spring, moving more daylight into the evening during the warmer part of the year. In fall, clocks return to standard time. The idea has historically been associated with making better use of daylight and reducing some lighting demand, although the actual energy savings are debated.

The current nationwide schedule is set by federal law: daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees uniform time observance. California’s 2026 daylight saving period began March 8 and ends November 1.

What changes for everyday life?

After the transition, sunrise and sunset occur roughly one hour earlier by the clock than they would have under daylight saving time. Morning commutes may feel brighter, while darkness arrives earlier in the evening. The amount of daylight itself does not increase or decrease because the clocks change; the change is in how daylight lines up with the clock.

Residents may notice short-term changes in sleep patterns and daily routines. An extra clock hour does not guarantee an extra hour of sleep, particularly for parents, shift workers or people whose schedules are fixed.

Didn’t California vote to stop changing clocks?

California voters approved Proposition 7 in 2018, opening a path for lawmakers to consider changes to the state’s daylight saving rules. That vote did not itself end the twice-yearly clock changes. Under current federal law, a state may opt out of daylight saving time and remain on standard time, but it cannot independently establish permanent daylight saving time. California therefore still changes its clocks in 2026.

When is the next time change?

Daylight saving time is scheduled to begin again on Sunday, March 14, 2027, when clocks move forward from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

What should California residents do today?

  • Check manually set clocks before bed Saturday night or Sunday morning.
  • Confirm the time shown on alarms, work schedules, travel bookings and appointments.
  • Be mindful of darker late-afternoon and evening commutes.
  • Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries as part of a regular home safety routine, following the device manufacturer’s guidance.

Sources: National Institute of Standards and Technology; U.S. Naval Observatory; U.S. Department of Transportation.

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