I get vin verifications done all the time.
Most Highway Patrol offices require an appointment, and most appointments are at least 2 weeks out.
Any privately owned DMV office can do verifications.
All AAA offices can do a vin verification on all qualifying out of state vehicles contrary to what their recorded message says, providing you are an AAA member and you do the transfer at the same time.
If you want to transfer a street legal out of state vehicle, it must have a label stating it meets California emissions, or it must have over 7,500 miles.
If you want to speak to a real person at AAA on the phone.
1. Dial the number of an office that is open today.
2. Hit prompt number 5 when asked.
3. Wait until message is over and it asks "Is there something else?", then say "speak to operator" or "speak to agent".