Rock, Folk

California Dreamin’ Chords

The Mamas & The Papas Beginner Key of A 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Am · G · F · E

California Dreamin’ Chords – Guitar

The Mamas & The Papas’ iconic folk-rock song about longing for warmth and sunshine. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Folk-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The flute intro can be played on guitar by picking the melody on the high strings. Start the strum gently and build through each verse.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

I’d be safe and warm

E Am G

If I was in L.A.

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 2

Am G

Stopped into a church

F G E E7

I passed along the way

F C

Well I got down on my knees

E Am

And I pretend to pray

F C

You know the preacher likes the cold

E Am G

He knows I’m gonna stay

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 3

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

If I didn’t tell her

E Am G

I could leave today

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Outro

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am

On such a winter’s day

Practice tip: The Am-G-F-G-E progression in the verses is the heart of this song. Practice the E to E7 variation for extra color. If you can nail this sequence, you’ve got the whole song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "California Dreamin’"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and E.

Is "California Dreamin’" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "California Dreamin’" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "California Dreamin’"?

It was written by John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and released in 1965.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Am · G · F · E

California Dreamin’ Chords – Ukulele

The Mamas & The Papas’ iconic folk-rock song about longing for warmth and sunshine. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Folk-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The flute intro can be played on guitar by picking the melody on the high strings. Start the strum gently and build through each verse.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

I’d be safe and warm

E Am G

If I was in L.A.

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 2

Am G

Stopped into a church

F G E E7

I passed along the way

F C

Well I got down on my knees

E Am

And I pretend to pray

F C

You know the preacher likes the cold

E Am G

He knows I’m gonna stay

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 3

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

If I didn’t tell her

E Am G

I could leave today

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Outro

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am

On such a winter’s day

Practice tip: The Am-G-F-G-E progression in the verses is the heart of this song. Practice the E to E7 variation for extra color. If you can nail this sequence, you’ve got the whole song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "California Dreamin’"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and E.

Is "California Dreamin’" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "California Dreamin’" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "California Dreamin’"?

It was written by John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and released in 1965.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Am · G · F · E

California Dreamin’ Chords – Piano

The Mamas & The Papas’ iconic folk-rock song about longing for warmth and sunshine. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Folk-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The flute intro can be played on guitar by picking the melody on the high strings. Start the strum gently and build through each verse.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

I’d be safe and warm

E Am G

If I was in L.A.

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 2

Am G

Stopped into a church

F G E E7

I passed along the way

F C

Well I got down on my knees

E Am

And I pretend to pray

F C

You know the preacher likes the cold

E Am G

He knows I’m gonna stay

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 3

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

If I didn’t tell her

E Am G

I could leave today

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Outro

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am

On such a winter’s day

Practice tip: The Am-G-F-G-E progression in the verses is the heart of this song. Practice the E to E7 variation for extra color. If you can nail this sequence, you’ve got the whole song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "California Dreamin’"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and E.

Is "California Dreamin’" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "California Dreamin’" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "California Dreamin’"?

It was written by John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and released in 1965.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Am · G · F · E

California Dreamin’ Chords – Banjo

The Mamas & The Papas’ iconic folk-rock song about longing for warmth and sunshine. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Folk-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The flute intro can be played on guitar by picking the melody on the high strings. Start the strum gently and build through each verse.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

I’d be safe and warm

E Am G

If I was in L.A.

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 2

Am G

Stopped into a church

F G E E7

I passed along the way

F C

Well I got down on my knees

E Am

And I pretend to pray

F C

You know the preacher likes the cold

E Am G

He knows I’m gonna stay

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 3

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

If I didn’t tell her

E Am G

I could leave today

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Outro

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am

On such a winter’s day

Practice tip: The Am-G-F-G-E progression in the verses is the heart of this song. Practice the E to E7 variation for extra color. If you can nail this sequence, you’ve got the whole song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "California Dreamin’"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and E.

Is "California Dreamin’" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "California Dreamin’" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "California Dreamin’"?

It was written by John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and released in 1965.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Am · G · F · E

California Dreamin’ Chords – Mandolin

The Mamas & The Papas’ iconic folk-rock song about longing for warmth and sunshine. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Folk-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The flute intro can be played on guitar by picking the melody on the high strings. Start the strum gently and build through each verse.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

I’d be safe and warm

E Am G

If I was in L.A.

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 2

Am G

Stopped into a church

F G E E7

I passed along the way

F C

Well I got down on my knees

E Am

And I pretend to pray

F C

You know the preacher likes the cold

E Am G

He knows I’m gonna stay

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 3

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

If I didn’t tell her

E Am G

I could leave today

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Outro

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am

On such a winter’s day

Practice tip: The Am-G-F-G-E progression in the verses is the heart of this song. Practice the E to E7 variation for extra color. If you can nail this sequence, you’ve got the whole song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "California Dreamin’"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and E.

Is "California Dreamin’" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "California Dreamin’" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "California Dreamin’"?

It was written by John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and released in 1965.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Am · G · F · E

California Dreamin’ Chords – Harmonica

The Mamas & The Papas’ iconic folk-rock song about longing for warmth and sunshine. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Folk-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The flute intro can be played on guitar by picking the melody on the high strings. Start the strum gently and build through each verse.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

I’d be safe and warm

E Am G

If I was in L.A.

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 2

Am G

Stopped into a church

F G E E7

I passed along the way

F C

Well I got down on my knees

E Am

And I pretend to pray

F C

You know the preacher likes the cold

E Am G

He knows I’m gonna stay

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Verse 3

Am G

All the leaves are brown

F G E E7

And the sky is gray

F C

I’ve been for a walk

E Am

On a winter’s day

F C

If I didn’t tell her

E Am G

I could leave today

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

Outro

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am G

On such a winter’s day

F G E

California dreamin'

F Am

On such a winter’s day

Practice tip: The Am-G-F-G-E progression in the verses is the heart of this song. Practice the E to E7 variation for extra color. If you can nail this sequence, you’ve got the whole song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "California Dreamin’"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and E.

Is "California Dreamin’" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "California Dreamin’" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "California Dreamin’"?

It was written by John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and released in 1965.