This site was dedicated to providing information about California menu labeling law (SB 1420), the first phase of which took effect on July 1, 2009.  Unfortunately, all the detailed requirements outlined in SB 1420 were repealed by SB 20 which was signed by Governor Brown on October 2, 2011 and which became effective on January 1, 2012.  This law authorizes a local enforcement agency to enforce the federal menu labeling requirements once the federal regulations are adopted and a compliance date is set.  The 2009 federal health care initiative (PPACA) included provisions for nationwide menu labeling requirements. Language in the initiative preempts local and state menu labeling laws, including SB 1420.

Here are some useful links:

• Summary of AB 20https://sites.google.com/a/levitas.com/nutrition/
• According to a recent article in the WSJ, the law could be finalized by the end of the year [2013]
  

As of January 1, 2010 the law required that large restaurant chains with 20 or more locations in California disclosure calorie information only for each standard menu item directly on the menu if the restaurant has a menu, or on the indoor menu board if that is used, or on display tags if those are used in lieu of a menu or indoor menu board.  For chain restaurants that have a drive-through area and use a menu board, they must disclose calories, grams of carbohydrates, grams of saturated fat and miligrams of sodium on a brochure that is available upon request.

• Senator Alex Padilla's press release about the first phase of SB 1420
• Detailed description of bill by California Center for Public Health Advocacy
• Full text of SB 1420 law in PDF format
• Orange County Informational Bulletin from 9/1/09
• List of all chains with 20 or more locations in California revised 10/31/2009
• Informal review of compliance status of different restaurant chains posted 8/20/10
• CA Directors of Environmental Health Menu Labeling Guidelines revised 12/22/10