Is this a garter snake?

[ConcinusMan]

I'm going with Thamnophis hammondii - Two-striped Garter snake.
Not 100% certain though.

oh, it is. hammondii. didn't even need to look that one up. I caught many of them while living in CA back in the 1980's

adoption is fine but don't pay any kind of fee or trade for it. that would be a violation of CA law. check the laws in your county too. it might be illegal to have it in a few CA counties. (ventura, riverside, san diego and a few others)

nice snake!