[chaz]

I did this as well. Even got pulled over for speeding once and was issued a warning. CHP chuckled when he saw that I was well beyond the limit for not having plates affixed to the car, and asked me to get them on the car.

New cars are so common in CA that if the car is a late model and looks reasonably good, you'll never have a problem. Parked on the street, they can't see the dates on the registration that's stuck to the windshield. Just make sure your registration is paid and your insurance is up to date.