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 big, organized systems — airports, transit agencies, police property units — that process found items every day.
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.