Welcome to California where the sun is always golden, the beach is always waving, and the people… are still wondering why it is illegal for a car, without a driver, to exceed 60 miles per hour? By this law alone, then it would be legal for a car, without a driver, to be cruising at a comfortable 45 miles per hour, if it wanted. Folks, California may be the glorious, golden state, but it has more than its fair share of weirdness to it, including many odd and questionable laws.
- It is illegal to play with a Frisbee at Los Angeles beaches without a lifeguard’s permission. If they ask you to stop playing with a Frisbee, football, or other beach toy, you can actually be fined $1,000. They would ask you to stop out of concern for the safety of other beachgoers, but generally, most beachgoers have the common sense to play ball away from others.
- Zoot suits are illegal in Los Angeles. This law was introduced in the 1930s; the fabric for zoot suits were expensive and hard to come by during war time, so zoot suits were considered unpatriotic. The law has yet to be abolished, but frankly, the fashionistas have taken care of that today. Zoot suits are totally out of style!
- In Dana Point, as long as your bathroom window is open, even a crack, you may not use the restroom. You first have to close the window. So, you are just going to have to deal with your own stinky bodily waste. Helpful hint: air fresheners or matches.
- In order to wear cowboy boots in public, residents in Blythe must actually own at least 2 cows. This is to legitimize the fact that you have cowboy boots because, going back to the fashionistas, cowboy boots are not “in” right now.
- It is illegal to peel oranges in a hotel room. Why? We are not exactly sure. All we would say is that it is “discriminatory” towards oranges because nowhere does it say it is illegal to peel bananas, kiwis, or avocados in a hotel room.
- In Pacific Grove, it is illegal to molest butterflies. We will refrain from further commentary on this one.
- To keep a rhino as a pet in Norco, one must first obtain a $100 license. That’s a pretty good deal if you think about it!
- In Palm Springs, it is illegal to walk a camel down Palm Canyon Drive between 4 and 6 PM. Perhaps this is to alleviate rush hour commute and give way to the cars and busses?
- In San Diego, homeowners who keep up Christmas lights past February 2nd will be fined $250. That is not the holiday spirit! If we could, we would make every day Christmas Day!
This is just the tip of the iceberg. You will be able to find plenty of interesting California laws that will keep you scratching your head. Honestly, you can get a bit of a kick by reading them just for fun!
These laws are still technically in effect today, even if they do not make sense just a little. It is unlikely anyone would 1) violate any of these weird laws and 2) actually be arrested for it, but do not say we did not warn you. If you, or someone you know, is arrested, then please contact Los Angeles Bail Bonds to arrange your bail.