Lifestyle — The California Magazine https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/ California business, technology, real estate, and culture — reporting on the people building the state's economy. en-us © 2026 The California Magazine Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:22:27 GMT How a security deposit must be returned in California https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-a-security-deposit-must-be-returned-in-california/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-a-security-deposit-must-be-returned-in-california/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT The landlord has a fixed window, a required itemised statement, and a narrow list of things the deposit may lawfully cover. Park Rag Lifestyle How California vehicle registration and smog checks work https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-california-vehicle-registration-and-smog-checks-work/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-california-vehicle-registration-and-smog-checks-work/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT Registration renews annually, smog certification is required at defined intervals, and the exemptions are narrower than the folklore suggests. Nina Sokolov Lifestyle How California's bottle deposit refund actually works https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-californias-bottle-deposit-refund-works/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-californias-bottle-deposit-refund-works/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT You pay the deposit on almost every drink you buy and reclaim a fraction of it. The gap between those two numbers funds the programme and frustrates everyone. Dana Whitfield Lifestyle How California's lemon law works https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-californias-lemon-law-works/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/how-californias-lemon-law-works/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT A manufacturer that cannot repair a defect within a reasonable number of attempts must replace or repurchase the vehicle. Everything turns on documentation. Nina Sokolov Lifestyle What your California privacy rights actually let you do https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/what-your-california-privacy-rights-let-you-do/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/lifestyle/what-your-california-privacy-rights-let-you-do/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT You can ask a business what it holds about you, tell it to delete that, correct it, and stop it being sold or shared. The limits are as important as the rights. Ava Lindqvist Lifestyle