Management must consider landscape characteristics at multiple scales.  We evaluated presence and density for California quail (Callipepla californica) on the Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve using Distance point count data (2007, 2016, and 2018).  We compared quail locations to the landscape across Carrizo with National Land Cover data, and at the home range scale using VegCAMP data (CDFW).  We determined percent land cover by class on occupied and unoccupied areas of Carrizo.  At the home range level we used class level landscape characteristics to evaluate habitat.  California quail density for 2018, following the wettest winter, was 35 birds/km².  Occupied sites had more shrub-scrub (54.42%) and less herbaceous vegetation (36.35%) than unoccupied areas (21.73%, 63.52%).  At the home-range scale, quail occupied sites with more shrub/scrub, more forest, and less herbaceous vegetation than random points.  Patches of moderate heterogeneity were larger at quail sites (46.07 ± 2.10), compared to random points (32.11 ± 2.92).  This research provides empirical evidence that California quail need for large patches of shrub-scrub vegetation, with adequate edge to bare ground and forbs, and moderate heterogeneity for California quail populations.  Little is known about California quail movements, but land managers must also consider the importance of corridors for dispersal.