I don't know i am just not on the same page as you or something, look at this http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?month=9&year=2009&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1&n=217
in sacremento, (EDIT: which I would consider close to northern cali,) 12/12 is on the autumnal equinox, september 25th