SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

                Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                             As Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund

            In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended June 30, 2004 that is accompanied by
this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d)
      of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
      respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.

Date: August 19, 2004                              /s/ Ronald E. Robison
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                   Ronald E. Robison
                                                   Principal Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund and will be retained
by Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

                                       8


                            SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

                Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                             As Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund

            In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended June 30, 2004 that is accompanied by
this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d)
      of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
      respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.

Date: August 19, 2004                             /s/ Francis Smith
                                                  ----------------------
                                                  Francis Smith
                                                  Principal Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund and will be retained
by Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

                                       9