This article focuses on the transfer of students from California community colleges to four-year colleges and universities. Following a brief introduction to laws and procedures specified upon the inception of community colleges in California in 1910, and a recognition of the difficulty in student transfer throughout the history of higher education institutions, the article discusses the calculation of transfer rates and their variation among the states. Nationally, rates are low where community colleges have been organized as vocational centers, as in Indiana, and high where they are closely articulated with the state's university system, as in West Virginia. Influences on transfer from California community colleges include: (1) affordability, which enhances access but also allows for inconsistent attendance; (2) disparity between college and university fees; (3) system policies, specifically the prerequisite of two years of full-time study completed prior to transfer; and (4) the dual university system, including liberal arts and non-liberal arts classes. A primary forthcoming issue on transfer is whether California's interest is to have more students transfer from community colleges to the University of California and California State University. If so, the state legislature, community colleges, and universities can take several actions, which are outlined in this document. (AS)