Cal. PROB § 15200

Subject to other provisions of this chapter, a trust may be created by any of the following methods: (a) A declaration by the owner of property that the owner holds the property as trustee. (b) A transfer of property by the owner during the owner’s lifetime to another person as trustee. (c) A transfer of property by the owner, by will or by other instrument taking effect upon the death of the owner, to another person as trustee. (d) An exercise of a power of appointment to another person as trustee. (e) An enforceable promise to create a trust.