chordsurf
C
GUITAR CHORDS

California Dreamin'

The Mamas & the Papas
All-time classics Acoustic favorites Pop essentials
KeyC#m
Capo4
LevelMedium
Transpose C#m 0
Text
Chord sheet
Chords are positioned above the lyric change point
Capo 4
 

Intro

(6-string acoustic)
AmE7sus4
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|0---------------|
B|----0---3--1--0--|-----------------|----------------|0---------------|
G|--2--------------|--------%--------|--------%-------|2---------------|
D|2----2-----------|-----------------|----------------|0---------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|2---------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|0---------------|
triplets
 
(12-string acoustic)
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|-----------------|----0-1-0-------|----------------|----------------|
B|-----------------|------------3---|1---3-1---------|----------------|
G|-----------------|----------------|--------4--2--0-|-2--------------|
D|-----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|-----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|-----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
triplets
 

Verse 1

 
AmGF
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
GE7sus4E7
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
FCE7Am
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
FE7sus4E7
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
AmGF
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
GE7sus4E7
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
 
 

Chorus

AmGF
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
GE7sus4E7
On such a winter's day
 
 

Verse 2

 
AmGF
Stopped in to a church
GE7sus4E7
I passed along the way
FCE7Am
Well I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
FE7sus4E7
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
AmGF
You know the preacher likes the cold (preacher likes the cold)
GE7sus4E7
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
 
 

Chorus

 
AmGF
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
GE7sus4E7
On such a winter's day
 
 

Solo

 
Am / / / Am / / F 
 С E7 Am F E7sus4 E7 
 
Am G F G }
E7sus4 E7 }x2
 
 

Verse 3

 
AmGF
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
GE7sus4E7
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
FCE7Am
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
FE7sus4E7
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
AmGF
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
GE7sus4E7
I could leave today (I could leave today)
 
 

Coda

 
AmGF
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
GAmGF
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
GAmGF
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
GFmaj7Am
On such a winter's day
End

How to play California Dreamin' chords

This Chordsurf arrangement of California Dreamin' by The Mamas & the Papas is presented in the key of C#m, with a capo at the 4th fret. Use the transpose controls above the sheet to move every chord together while keeping the lyric-change positions aligned.

The page is set up for practice as well as quick reference: adjust the text size, use auto scroll when your hands are busy, or switch to focus mode for a cleaner playing view. The published arrangement uses 7 distinct chord shapes, including Am, E7sus4, G, F, E7, C and others. You can also explore related material through All-time classics, Acoustic favorites, Pop essentials.