Time series of phytoplankton net primary production (NPP) for the California Current were derived using satellite data and the VGPM primary productivity model for a 5-year period (1997--2001) including the 1997--98 El Ni¿o. NPP had a strong annual periodicity correlated with the El Ni¿o-La Ni¿a cycle. The most obvious effects of the El Ni¿o on NPP were 100-300 km off the coast: a reduction by 30% off Southern California but an increase by 40% off Baja California. During its peak El Ni¿o decreased NPP by 10--15% (1.5 Tg C month-1) in the 1000-km band off Southern California but increased by 20--30% off Northern and Southern Baja (4 Tg C month-1). The total annual NPP was lowest during the El Ni¿o years of 1997--1998 and peaked in 2000. Trends of increasing NPP and zooplankton volume were observed off Central and Southern California.