Where, in the Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara area of
California, does the plant, Belladonna (Atropa belladona)grow
naturally?  Are there any restrictions on removing plants for personal
gardens?  I need map grids or latitude and longitude, please.

Atropa belladonna, or "Black Nightshade" is generally considered a
weed, and is likely to be present on any wasteland you care to
inspect.  That having been said, I cannot speak specifically of the
situation in California, except to say that the climate would be
suitable, and that I doubt it it is absent from the flora.

Maybe this helps a little - maybe not.

Oops - Make that "Deadly Nightshade".

You can buy seeds here:
http://www.bouncingb.com/atropa_belladonna.htm

The project is to find existing plants to put into containers (not
very many, two will do) rather than try to grow them from seeds,
although that is a last restort.  We know that the plants grow wild in
the area, but want to know more precisely where to "hunt".  We also
know the dangers of this plant to both people and animals and will
take all appropriate precautions.  There is no current plan to use any
part of the plants, just to enjoy them.  Thanks for posting your
comment. "angel-ga"

Gotcha.  Hopefully someone with local knowledge can assist.
Meanwhile, I have seen that the California Poison Control Centre (or
whatever it is called) lists Atropa belladonna as a common cause of
poisoning, so I suspect it is not rare in the region.  It will
establish quite easily in even the poorest soil, but doesn't like to
be cramped.  If you find some slightly over-grown waste land, you
could be in luck.

*added in desparation*
This may sound weird, but if any particular region has or once had a
high proportion of people of Mediterranean (particularly Italian)
descent, you might have more luck there.  Reason:  Belladonna derives
its name from the use of the juice from its fruit to cause the pupils
to dilate (due to the atropine).  Women were known to use it for this
purpose believing that it made them more alluring. Hence "bella donna"
- "beautiful woman".

Here is a map over the distribution in California; but I don't know if
it will help you. (Look for a small green spot.)

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/county.cgi?state_name=California&statefips=06&symbol=ATBE

You can also ask here if someone from California can help you to
locate it:
http://plantsdatabase.com/go/2892/ (I don't think the image is
correctly identified.)