INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in this  Post-Effective  Amendment
No.  25 to the  Registration  Statement  No.  33-31675  on Form N-1A of the John
Hancock  California  Tax-Free  Income Fund of our report dated  October 10, 2003
appearing in the Annual Report to the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of John
Hancock  California  Tax-Free  Income  Fund (the  sole fund of the John  Hancock
California Tax-Free Income Fund), for the year ended August 31, 2003.

We  also  consent  to  the  references  to  us  under  the  headings  "Financial
Highlights"  in the Prospectus  and  "Independent  Auditors" in the Statement of
Additional Information, which are a part of such Registration Statement.


/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
------------------------
Boston, Massachusetts
December 24, 2003