Pictured is a California highway sign on I-101 near Camp Roberts. The sign says "DO NOT PICK UP HITCH HIKERS NEXT 9 MILES". But why? The sign is over 25 miles away from Atascadero's State (Mental) Hospital which treats criminals.  

It seems unlikely that the warning is related to that institution, and besides, there's a law on the books which prohibits hitchhikers from thumbing rides on roads.  

According to California Vehicle Code 21957: "No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle." While  hitchhiking through California is legal,  hitchhikers are expected to catch rides at truck stops or rest areas, for instance. There is a rest area nearby.

Although one 40-year-old study found that hitchhikers are in no greater risk as victims of crime, some of the most famous serial killer cases such as "Freeway Killer"  William Bonin, have had a chilling effect. Bonin spent approx. three years at Atascadero State Hospital as a mentally disordered sexual offender for five counts of kidnapping and four counts of sexual assault on five youths. After doctors concluded he was "no longer a danger to others," he was released in 1974. His killing spree between 1979 and 1980 involved picking up hitchhikers and luring youngsters & teens into his vehicle in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Two other Freeway Killers-- Patrick Kearney (Southern California) and Randy Steven Kraft (Long Beach, SoCal,) along with Bonin collectively claimed over 130 victims.

There are websites and hitchhiker forums in which hikers share information about getting rides in California. Especially popular among college age students and European travelers, hitchhiking is perceived as a free and easy way to travel.

For those contemplating picking up hitchhikers, it's reported that musician Dave Matthews thumbed a ride when he had a flat tire and is thankful for the generosity of a trusting driver who stopped. Unfortunately some of the most successful serial killers such as Ted Bundy are incredibly charismatic and fool their victims by seeming so nice.

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