You're probably staring at a screen, maybe squinting at a flight itinerary or trying to figure out if it's too late to text your cousin. We've all been there. You type in "what time is it in Cali right now" and hope for a quick answer. But honestly, the internet is kinda messy with this one because "Cali" means two very different things depending on who you’re talking to.
Are you looking for the Golden State or the Salsa Capital of the World?
If you are looking for California, USA, the time is currently Pacific Standard Time (PST). If you are looking for Cali, Colombia, you are looking at Colombia Time (COT). Because it is January 15, 2026, California is not currently using Daylight Saving Time. This means the gap between the two is exactly three hours.
The Breakdown: California vs. Cali, Colombia
Right now, California is sitting at UTC-8. It’s winter, it’s chilly (well, California chilly), and the clocks won't "spring forward" for another couple of months. On the other hand, Cali, Colombia, is located much closer to the equator. They don't do the whole clock-changing dance. They stay at UTC-5 all year round.
So, if it’s 9:00 AM in Los Angeles, it’s already noon in the Valle del Cauca.
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People mess this up constantly. I’ve seen business meetings scheduled for "Cali time" where half the team shows up three hours late because they assumed the person meant San Francisco. If you're traveling, this is the kind of mistake that leaves you stranded at an airport bar wondering why your gate is empty.
What Time Is It In Cali Right Now and Why it Changes
Time zones are basically a social construct that we've all agreed to follow so we don't crash planes into each other. In California, the time situation is dictated by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, though the state has been flirting with the idea of "Permanent Daylight Saving Time" for years.
As of today, January 15, 2026, California is firmly in Standard Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST): This is where we are now. UTC-8.
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): This starts on the second Sunday of March. In 2026, that falls on March 8.
- The Switch: When March 8 hits, California will jump to UTC-7.
Meanwhile, back in Colombia, the city of Santiago de Cali just... exists. They haven't touched their clocks for Daylight Saving since a brief, somewhat failed experiment in the early 90s. They found that being so close to the equator meant the sun rises and sets at roughly the same time every day regardless of the month, so moving the clocks didn't actually save any energy. It just confused everyone.
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How to tell which "Cali" you need
Most people searching this are either planning a trip or have a remote job. If you’re a digital nomad, the difference is huge. Working from California means you’re on the tail end of the global workday. Working from Cali, Colombia, means you’re perfectly synced with New York and the rest of the U.S. East Coast.
Honestly, the easiest way to remember is the 3-hour rule. During the winter (like right now), Colombia is 3 hours ahead of California. In the summer, after California "springs forward," the gap shrinks to 2 hours.
Real-World Examples of Time Zone Chaos
I remember a guy named Mark who was a freelance developer. He had a client in Cali, Colombia. Mark was based in San Diego. He saw "Cali" in the email header and just assumed it was a local startup. He scheduled a "morning check-in" for 10:00 AM.
By the time Mark hopped on the call at 10:00 AM PST, his client had already finished lunch and was halfway through their afternoon siesta. The client was annoyed, Mark was embarrassed, and the whole project started on the wrong foot. All because of four little letters: C-A-L-I.
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Specific Offsets for 2026
If you want the technical "nerd" version, here’s how the offsets look for today, January 15:
- Los Angeles / San Francisco: UTC -8 (PST)
- Santiago de Cali: UTC -5 (COT)
- London (Reference): UTC +0 (GMT)
- New York: UTC -5 (EST)
Notice something? Right now, Cali, Colombia, is the exact same time as New York. If you can remember that, you've basically mastered the mental math.
Common Misconceptions About California Time
A lot of people think California is always 3 hours behind New York. While that’s usually true, things get weird during those specific weeks in March and November when different countries change their clocks on different schedules.
There's also the "Permanent DST" rumor. Every year, a headline goes viral saying California is finally getting rid of the clock change. While voters approved Proposition 7 back in 2018, it actually requires an act of the U.S. Congress to make it official. Until the federal government gives the green light, we’re still stuck with the biannual "where is the little tool to change the time on my stove" ritual.
Practical Steps to Stay On Time
If you’re dealing with both locations, don't rely on your memory. It will fail you, usually right before an important interview.
- Use City Names, Not Nicknames: When setting a calendar invite, type "Los Angeles" or "Santiago de Cali" instead of just "Cali."
- The World Clock App is Your Friend: Most smartphones let you add multiple cities to your home screen. Add both. Label them "Cali (US)" and "Cali (Colombia)."
- Check the Date: Remember that the 3-hour gap you see today changes on March 8, 2026. If you're booking something for late March, that gap becomes 2 hours.
The most important thing to do right now is double-check your calendar for any "Cali" entries and ensure the location is set to a specific city. If you are currently in California and trying to call someone in Colombia, keep in mind they are likely finishing their dinner while you are still finishing your workday. If you're in Colombia calling the U.S. West Coast, don't be that person who calls at 8:00 AM your time—they're still asleep.