When to plant in Isla Vista, CA
USDA Zone 10aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Isla Vista, California — all computed from Isla Vista's nearest NOAA weather station.
A ~-11-day frost-free window makes Isla Vista a short-season garden: choose early varieties and start long-season crops indoors well ahead of the last frost. Zone 10a is warm enough that Isla Vista can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
SANTA BARBARA 11 W · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Isla Vista’s own odds, recorded at SANTA BARBARA 11 W.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 9 | Feb 3 | Dec 28 | Nov 19 | Dec 6 | Jan 9 |
| 32°F | Jan 29 | Dec 31 | Dec 8 | Dec 1 | Dec 20 | Jan 19 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Isla Vista, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Isla Vista planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Isla Vista, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Isla Vista is around December 31 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Isla Vista, CA?
In Isla Vista, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 20 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Isla Vista in?
Isla Vista is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Isla Vista?
There are roughly -11 frost-free days in Isla Vista (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around December 31 to the first fall frost near December 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Isla Vista?
In Isla Vista, start tomato seeds indoors around November 5–November 19, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Isla Vista
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Isla Vista’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- University of California-Santa Barbara · 1 km
- Goleta · 3 km
- Eastern Goleta Valley · 8 km
- Santa Barbara · 14 km
- Carpinteria · 33 km
- San Buenaventura (Ventura) · 58 km
- Lompoc · 62 km
- Oxnard · 64 km
Frost dates recorded at SANTA BARBARA 11 W, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Isla Vista, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00053152. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/isla-vista.