In California, it is generally legal to sleep in your car on public property, such as on a city street, as long as you are not violating any other laws, such as parking regulations or prohibitions on overnight camping.

Car camping in California is a "gray area" that depends heavily on local city ordinances and the type of land. There is no single statewide law that bans sleeping in your car, but many cities—particularly coastal hubs like Santa Monica, San Diego, and San Francisco—have strict "vehicle habitation" ordinances that prohibit sleeping in a vehicle on public streets or in beach lots after sunset. Towing and heavy fines are common in these "No Overnight Parking" zones. For a legal and safe experience, you should use official campgrounds (State Parks or private lots like KOA) or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, which often allows "dispersed camping" for free. Rest areas in California are generally for short-term rest only (usually capped at 8 hours) and are not meant for overnight "camping." In 2026, many retail lots (like Walmart) that previously allowed overnight stays have restricted the practice due to liability, so it is vital to read every posted sign and check for "Permit Only" markings before settling in for the night.