California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 7974

If the land sold was swamp and overflowed, the county auditor of the county in which the land is situated shall, upon the surrender to him of the certificate mentioned in Section 7971, draw his warrant in favor of the person surrendering the certificate for the amount therein specified, upon the treasurer of the county, who shall pay the warrant out of the swamp and overflowed land fund of the district in which the land is situated. If the land sold was not swamp and overflowed, the Controller of the State, upon the surrender to him of the certificate, shall draw his warrant in favor of the person surrendering the certificate, for the amount therein specified, upon the Treasurer of the State, who shall pay the warrant out of the fund into which the purchase-money was paid.