The operative phrase in your post may be "quite a few years ago."  DUI laws, like other laws,
change.  In the case of DUI, there has been a sucessful nationwide movement to toughen them up.
What was true "quite a few years ago" may not be true now.  In fact, a quick Internet search
found the CA penal code relating to DUI.  It was greatly revised and the revised version became
law on July 1, 1999.  I read it over quickly.  Some sections do allow the storage of open
containers in the "living quarters of a housecar."  However, the section on consumption simply
says "No person shall drink any alcololic beverage while in a motor vehicle on a highway."
There is no exception for "housecars" in this section.  The link is:

http://www.dui-law.com/pdf/vc070199.pdf

Bill in the Southwest

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Schwaia" <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
>
> As it was explained to me by a California Highway Patrol quite a few years
> ago...  it is legal to consume alcohol in the back of a motorhome in
> California and it doesn't matter whether it's parked or driving down the
> road.  Yes, a VW Campmobile is considered a motorhome in California, and
> originally labelled as such.