Northern lights in California tonight

At 2000 m+ elevation in the Cascade Range of northern California, Lassen sits at 40.5°N geographic with outstanding Bortle 2 sky. The high desert plateau north of the volcano gives an open northern horizon. The Summit Lake area and the park's north entrance road give accessible dark sky. The elevation reduces atmospheric absorption. About 180 miles from San Francisco and 250 miles from Sacramento.

The rugged Mendocino and Sonoma coast faces north and west with no development to the ocean horizon. Point Arena sits at 38.9°N geographic with Bortle 2 conditions from the headlands. During a major storm, the northern horizon across the Pacific is the correct direction to watch. The bluffs face northwest toward the auroral oval. About 115 miles from San Francisco - roughly 2 hours via Highway 1 or US-101 to Highway 128.

The hills surrounding Clear Lake in Lake County give Bortle 3 conditions with dry summer and autumn skies. The Clear Lake basin faces north toward the Coast Ranges. Higher positions on the surrounding ridges give better sky access. The area between Ukiah and Clear Lake on US-101 has reasonable dark sky for a quicker escape from the Bay Area than the Mendocino coast. About 115 miles from San Francisco.

Designated an International Dark Sky Park, Pinnacles gives Bortle 1-2 conditions from the volcanic rock formations south of San Jose. The geographic latitude here is 36.5°N - the lowest of any major dark sky park in California. This site is best used as a photography location during the strongest G4-G5 storms when the aurora reaches well south. The Bortle 1-2 conditions and rock formations make it a strong photography site when the storm is large enough.