Yes, they should winter over well. They're quite hardy. Maureen

Thank you Maureen. I'll get them in the ground.

Kate

Chives over-winters here in Wisconsin with no protection. It is very hardy. Be aware that it also self-seeds freely, if you allow the flower heads to mature. I always cut them off just after the flowers fade.

I cut the flowers off and put them in salads--pretty and yummy :D

Thanks you zeedman and susaneden.

I will be careful to remove the flowers in a timely fashion. Thank you, good information.

I had never thought of eating the flowers. What a great idea. Much appreciated.

Kate

We have prolonged below freezing temps here in Oklahoma in the winter too, so will do excellently for you there in North Calif. Chives die to the ground after the first good frost and will appear to have disappeared completely in the winter, but the tiny bulbs are still there resting in the ground. Come Spring, they will emerge again. Every year after that the clumps will get thicker and thicker.
I remove the spent blooms (bag them in a paper sack and save the seeds) and cut back the chives to about 4-6 inches tall. A few will sometimes make a new bloom or two if the weather is mild. They will grow back very fast with fresh, yummy leaves and no tough flower stalks.
Occasionally something will kill off my chives or eat the bulbs, so saving those seeds comes in handy for restarting my chives anew.
~ sweetannie4u