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                            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 December 31, 2003 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 18, 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.

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                            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 December 31, 2003 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 18, 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.