California - California Specialty License Plates with StreamlineJK License Plate Frame

California offers it's citizens a variety of special interest license plates in a variety of themes for autos, commercial vehicles, trailers and motorcycles. California has a very defined criteria for offering special interest license plates. Once approved a new affinity license plate will go into production only after 7,500 pre-orders are placed.

There are 15 California specialty license plates ranging from dancing Snoopy to a Whale Tail with each delivering funds to a particular special interest group.  According to The New York Times, the “California 1960's Legacy Plate” is the affinity plate most popular with California drivers. The classic look has inspired many Golden State drivers to purchase these throwback plates for $50 with proceeds going to the state's environmental fund. The next most popular is the "Have a heart, Be a star, Help our KIDS” plate, which can include a hand print, a heart or star on the license plate and benefits the California Child Health and Safety Fund. The third most popular is the Whale Tail sponsored by the California Coastal Commission to help protect and restore the resources of California's coast and ocean.

Some of the more popular California specialty license plates are as follows:

1960's Legacy Plate

Proceeds go to the Environmental License Plate Fund, which benefits environmental projects in California

Have A Heart, Be A Star, Help Our KIDS

The fees collected from the Kids Specialty License Plates are deposited in the Child Health and Safety Fund and used for programs that keep California children safe. These programs include child care safety, child abuse prevention and efforts to prevent childhood injuries. When the specialty license plate is ordered the purchaser may choose the symbol which will go on the left hand side. The symbol options include a hand, heart, star or plus sign.

Whale Tail

The Whale Tale License Plate is sponsored by the California Coastal Commission. The proceeds are used to help protect and restore the California coast and ocean. 

California Museums (Snoopy)

The California Museums specialty license plates feature Snoopy as their main icon. The fees collected from the California Museums License Plates go into a fund administered by the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE), which is used to support a grant program for museums in California.

Lake Tahoe

The funds collected from the sale of Lake Tahoe License Plates are used by the California Tahoe Conservancy to fund the preservation, restoration, and non-motorized trail projects in the Lake Tahoe area.

Yosemite Conservancy

The Yosemite Conservancy License Plates help fund the Yosemite Conservancy's efforts to manage wildlife, restore habitat and repair trails in Yosemite National Park.