Idaho to California is a big change. I assume you are aware of any difference in planting times?

Rodney

Be advisable to chill your hardnecks for a couple of months before planting if your winters are mild. have you tried growing Creoles, they don't mind milder winter temperatures?

A lot depends on where in California you are, in the far north and/or up in the mountains, you probably could do much like you did in Idaho, but in the central and south you won't get enough cooling for hardnecks unless you augment it.

Creoles, there, might be just the ticket, like was suggested.

There is a reason that one type is called California White, too. Gilroy is in the center a bit south of San Jose, and they grow a whole lot of softneck garlic there.

Yes, where exactly in CA you are makes a huge difference. I have had great luck with hard necks in the farthest northwest part of the state as well as being able to grow soft necks successfully. Grow Korean Red, Music and German Extra Hardy as well as Early Italian Purple which is variable--it is a soft neck that puts out scapes. Have also tried German Red with good results as well as the California Late. Have cut down on the varieties I grow due to spatial constraints--having 3 times as many raised beds as I grow varieties to be able to successfully practice the crop rotation that allows me to keep growing in the same places.

And I can see that the ground dwelling bandits are as bad in Southwestern Washington state as they were in my previous place in far West Northern CA. Love to laugh at the people who say that garlic deters the rodents as in my experience it does not. Last time I planted in ground as opposed to raised beds I got NOTHING from the 200 cloves I planted.