Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 482.070

(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this title, legal process required or permitted to be served under this title may be served personally or by mail. (2) For purposes of this title, the term “legal process” shall refer to each and all of the writs, notices, orders, or other papers required or permitted to be served pursuant to this title. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, service of legal process under this title is governed by Article 1 (commencing with Section 684.010) and Article 2 (commencing with Section 684.110) of Chapter 4 of Division 1 of Title 9, including the provisions of Section 684.120 extending time when service is made by mail. (c) For the purpose of subdivision (b), in Article 1 (commencing with Section 684.010) and Article 2 (commencing with Section 684.110) of Chapter 4 of Division 1 of Title 9: (1) References to the “judgment debtor” shall be deemed references to the defendant. (2) References to the “judgment creditor” shall be deemed references to the plaintiff. (3) References to a “writ” shall be deemed references to a writ of attachment. (4) References to a “notice of levy” shall be deemed references to a notice of attachment. (d) If the defendant has not appeared in the action and legal process is required to be personally served on the defendant under this title, service shall be made in the same manner as a summons is served under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 413.10) of Title 5. (e) Except for service of a subpoena or other process to require the attendance of the defendant or service of a paper to bring the defendant into contempt, if the defendant has an attorney of record in the action, service shall be made on the attorney rather than on the defendant. (f) Proof of service under this title is governed by Article 3 (commencing with Section 684.210) of Chapter 4 of Division 1 of Title 9.