Never herped southern california (specially since I've only been there once and it was cold), nice looking snake! I'd sure love to know where you are find those in case I ever make it out that way. My view is that any snake that is found on the road would have probably been a dead snake, so I don't feel too badly about keeping a snake every once in awhile especially if I'm planning on breeding them....and of course it is legal to own them.....and your not collecting in a protected area.