What zone am I?

Ok here's a good question. Gulp. How do I know what zone I'm in? Sacramento Ca.

You're in 9b.....how I envy you here in Utah

Here is a map

Sometimes there are little pockets of a neighborhood that are a few degrees warmer or cooler than what that zone normally should be, so if you plant something that is a little bit questionable in your zone, and it thrives then your garden might be in a 'banana belt', an area that is a bit warmer than you would think just going by the zone. On the other hand, if something that ought to grow in zone 9b constantly freezes on you, then you might be in a bit of a colder belt, any you would know to be cautious of plants that freeze too easily.
These sorts of fine-tuning of your zone will come with time.

I also am in zone 9b, but I figured it out by what lives and dies here. By the map, I should be a bit milder. But there is a big hill between my place and the river, and I am quite low down, so the moderating influence of the ocean in the winter just does not get to me as well as it should, and the cold air drains into my area.

Thanks for the info. I'm a true newbie. Funny Kalloused, I just mentioned to my wife yesterday how I'd like to see Utah. Just so ya know right now it's bout a quarter till eight bout 85 degrees with a nice Delta breeze. Perfect evening.

well said, Diana! true to every locale in America haha. looking at the plants that are in the neighborhood and how old they are can tell you a whole lot

Well Said Diane, I know some folks who are devastated when something dies or just sit's there and they don't understand that the ZONES are for guidance ONLY, they forget a tall building will either give shelter from chill winds or block out the heat from intense sun, they don't take into account that
that a neighbours Clematis will flower best because it is planted with roots in shade and has had loads of compost / Humus added while there plant of the same type / name is dying due to boiling hot sun onto the soil and clay soil that had been baked to a cooking pot stage even thou the owner waters it every day, we just all have to learn over time that because we love the look of the plant / shrub ect and it said zone for you, it is only telling you with the RIGHT conditions in that zone, the plant should do well. How I wish I could understand that myself when I first started out gardening some 50 odd years ago, jeeeeees I would have a garden like the best botanical park ha, ha, ha.
Best Regards, WeeNel.

Another good reference for the Western USA is the Western Garden Book.
It has more detailed maps that might narrow down your zone. They use a different zone numbering system, though.

Papa,
I'm a newbie too. This is only my second year growing from seed with more difficult flowers,not having much success at the moment >:(
But this forum is great. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable. 85 degrees in the evening??? Here in the valley of Utah we have been getting mid 80's as a high and 50's at night which is very very uncommon, it's put my moonvine and zinnias in a standstill with the moon vine being devoured by 3 different types of bugs. You should certainly visit us here in Utah sometime! :)
Kall