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

Active Assets California Tax - Free Trust

      In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended December 31, 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: February 17, 2005                          /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 Active Assets California Tax - Free Trust and will be retained by
Active Assets California Tax - Free Trust 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

Active Assets California Tax - Free Trust

      In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended December 31, 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: February 17, 2005                             /s/ Francis Smith
                                                    ----------------------
                                                    Francis Smith
                                                    Principal Financial Officer

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

                                       9