On October 14, 2023, an annular, or "ring of fire," solar eclipse will occur along a narrow path of annularity in California. To experience the annular, or "ring of fire," phase of the eclipse, you must be located within this path. But where along the path should you plan to go? Below, we've outlined some of the unique features, landmarks, and viewing options along the path of annularity for California. We've also provided a detailed map of the path of annularity in California as well as annularity start times and durations for California cities that are located inside the path of annularity on October 14, 2023.
Remember that since the Moon never entirely covers the Sun during an annular, or "ring of fire," solar eclipse, you must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers at all times. Unlike during a total solar eclipse, there is never a time when it's safe to look with unprotected eyes. The NationalEclipse.com Eclipse Store offers a wide variety of certified safe eclipse glasses and viewers.
Note that times and durations can vary widely even within the same city and some cities are located only partially within the path of annularity. All times and durations noted on this page are only representative samples and should be used for general comparison purposes only. To determine the precise start time, end time, and duration of annularity for your exact location on eclipse day, use the interactive Google eclipse maps developed by Xavier Jubier.
To avoid confusion, note that references made below to the "western" and "eastern" limits or lines of the eclipse refer respectively to the left/bottom and right/top edges of the eclipse path as it gradually changes its direction from east to south as it travels across the U.S.
California gets an annular solar eclipse in 2023, but not the California most people know. There won't be a ring of fire over San Francisco or Los Angeles on October 14. Only the remote northeastern corner of the state is captured within the path of annularity and the eclipse centerline misses the state completely.
The eclipse path runs almost exclusively through Modoc County, the third least-populated county in the state. As such, the path never crosses a town with a population of at least 10,000 people. The most populated town over which the eclipse travels in California is probably Alturus. Alturus, however, sits right along the western edge of the eclipse path, with annularity lasting for only about 1 minute and 58 seconds in the middle of the town.
Overall, the best place to see the eclipse in California might be the sparsely populated Surprise Valley, which runs parallel to the border with Nevada. Surprise Valley not only offers relatively favorable odds for good weather on eclipse day, but the northern end of the valley is as close to the centerline as one can get in the state.
TOPFor the map below, the yellow line outlines the limits of the path of annularity in California. The grey line shows the path of annularity entering and exiting California (the eastern line and the centerline of the path don't enter California). To experience the annular, or "ring of fire," phase of the eclipse in California, you must be inside the yellow line. Areas outside the path of annularity will get a partial solar eclipse only.
(hover or tap to see points of interest in California)
| City | Annularity Start | Duration* |
|---|---|---|
| Tulelake | 9:18:33 AM PDT | 2:39 |
| New Pine Creek | 9:18:36 AM PDT | 4:20 |
| Newell | 9:18:42 AM PDT | 2:30 |
| Dorris | 9:18:56 AM PDT | 1:14 |
| Lake City | 9:19:04 AM PDT | 3:33 |
| Cedarville | 9:19:17 AM PDT | 3:10 |
| Alturas | 9:19:36 AM PDT | 1:58 |
| Eagleville | 9:19:55 AM PDT | 2:00 |
* "Duration" refers to the duration of annularity and is expressed in minutes and seconds
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