If you are fishing piers then, yes, you don't need one. However, you will need a license for any other fishing unless it's on a free fishing day, you are on private property, or you just don't pay for one. If you are visiting in California you can buy weekend or certain number of days license i.e. a 3 day or 5 day license so you don't have to pay for a full one. You can check out the site for info, that's what I used. Good luck fishin'!
