Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 7976

Whenever any person has, in conformity with law, conveyed any land to the State by quitclaim deed, duly executed, delivered, and accepted by the commission, for the purpose of receiving restitution of the purchase price thereof, as provided by law, and such restitution has not been made, and a patent for such land is thereafter issued in the name of the original purchaser, the title granted by such patent shall vest in, and inure to the benefit of, such original purchaser, his heirs, assigns, and successors in interest, notwithstanding the execution, delivery and acceptance of the quitclaim deed, as fully and completely as if the quitclaim deed had never been made, executed, delivered, or accepted.