Season clock
Typical first flush Nov 1. Typical last flush May 20.
Mediterranean. Mushrooms follow rain, not a calendar month.
United States · season upcoming
United States — California & Sierra
A winter foraging state. Coastal oaks give black trumpets and candy caps; the Sierra gives spring morels. Death caps are common in cities — study them.
NorCal redwood / tanoak
Coastal fog belt · 0–600 m
Bay Area oaks
Live oak, urban · 0–400 m
Sierra west slope
Mixed conifer, morels · 800–2,000 m
SoCal sky islands
Pine after rare rain · 1,400–2,400 m
Permits
National forests and BLM: check each unit. Many CA state parks prohibit gathering. City oaks are often where death caps fruit — do not pick landscaping.
Selling
CDPH and county cottage-food rules are strict. Wild mushrooms usually need an approved wild-mushroom expert or licensed vendor path.
Species on this ground
Golden Chanterelle
Nov 1 → Apr 15
Cantharellus formosus / C. cibarius complex
After the first real atmospheric river. Peak: Dec–Feb.
Black Trumpet
Dec 1 → Mar 15
Craterellus cornucopioides / C. fallax
Oak duff. Peak: Jan.
True Morel
Mar 20 → May 20
Morchella spp.
Sierra snowline. Peak: Apr.
Death Cap
Nov 1 → Mar 1
Amanita phalloides
Urban oaks. Learn, do not eat. Peak: Dec–Jan.