Lost something in California? Here's what to do.
California's scale cuts both ways: more places to lose things than any other state, but also big, organized systems — airports, transit agencies, police property units — that process found items every day. And California law gives honest finders a real path to keeping unclaimed property, which means more items get handed in than you'd guess.
Retrace, file, report, search.
The desks worth contacting.
California's finder law, in plain English.
Under California Civil Code §§2080–2080.10, a finder who knows the owner must return the item. If the owner is unknown and the item is worth $100 or more, the finder must turn it over to local police within a reasonable time. Police then hold it for 90 days. If it's worth $250 or more and unclaimed after 90 days, notice is published in a newspaper, and seven days later — publication costs paid — title vests in the finder. Under $250, the finder can claim it after the 90 days directly. The notable exception: public-agency employees who find property on the job don't get to keep it (it's auctioned). In practice: hand valuables to the police, get a receipt, and mark the calendar.
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. See the statute: Cal. Civ. Code §2080.3.
One search instead of ten phone calls.
Airports and transit have systems — but the hotel gym, the coworking space, the wine-country tasting room mostly have drawers. MyQRSearch turns those drawers into one searchable directory, logged by verified businesses.
MyQRSearch doesn't have partner locations in California yet — early partners get founding-location placement in this directory.
Run a California business that finds things? From a San Diego hotel to a Bay Area gym: log found items in minutes and let owners come to you.