The clock is moving again in California. This Sunday, November 2, 2025millions of people in the state will have to set your clocks back one hour to welcome the winter timea tradition that marks the end of the Daylight Saving Time and the return to Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Although the change may seem small, it impacts daily routine, rest, and even energy consumption. Here we explain what time the adjustment is done, why it happens, and how long it will last.
Sunday, November 2, 2025 will be the time when California turns its clocks back one hour. (Photo: Open AI)
When does time change in California in 2025?
Table of Contents
He Sunday, November 2exactly at 2:00 a.m.the watches must go back an hourgoing back to the 1:00 a.m. In this way, Californians – like the majority of the country – will return to winter time that will be in effect until March 2026.
This change affects all major cities in the stateincluding:
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Sacramento
- Saint Joseph
If you use smartphones, smart watches or internet-connected devicesthe adjustment is made automatically. However, it is recommended modify manually wall clocks, alarm clocks or household appliances before going to sleep on saturday night.
Why does the time change in California and the rest of the United States?
The change to winter time has a practical objective: make better use of natural light during months with fewer hours of sunshineWith this measure, sunrises occur earlier, allowing many morning activities to be carried out earlier. sunlight and contributing to reduce energy consumption.
The current system dates back to 2007when a reform promoted by the then president George W. Bush extended the duration of daylight saving time. However, the idea of changing the time was born centuries ago: was Benjamin Franklinin 1784, who first proposed this change to save candles and take advantage of daylight.
In the United States, the time adjustment was unified in 1966 with the approval of the Uniform Hours Lawwhich established a common calendar for all states.
Will California still apply winter time in the future?
The debate over eliminating daylight saving time continues in California. In 2018voters approved a measure to maintain daylight saving time permanentlythus avoiding the two annual adjustments.
However, for the decision to come into force, the authorization of the United States Congress. Until now, that approval has not been specifiedso the state will continue to set their clocks every year.
Therefore, this Sunday, November 2 Californians will return to standard time, which will remain until the second Sunday of March 2026when daylight saving time resumes.
How the time change affects health and rest
Although many people celebrate the “extra hour of sleep,” the adjustment can also alter the biological clock. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicineschedule changes can cause fatigue, drowsiness or alterations in circadian rhythms during the first days.
However, the return to winter time is usually easier to assimilate than the summer one, since it provides a additional hour of rest.
Tips to better adapt to change:
- Maintain regular sleeping and waking times.
- Avoid using screens or electronic devices before bed.
- Take advantage of natural light in the morning to help your body readjust.
California time change summary
- Date of change: Sunday, November 2, 2025
- Exact time: At 2:00 am the clocks go back one hour (they come back at 1:00 am)
- New schedule: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Validity: until the second Sunday of March 2026
- Affected cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and all of California.
Time change is coming in California. We tell you when and what exact time you should set the clock in Los Angeles for the start of winter time. | Credit: Reference image generated with Gemini AI / Composition Mag
