Where could I get a loan if I'm unemployed in California?
You borrow against something of value that you have, if you dont have future earnings to borrow against. For example, if you have an absurdly large investment portfolio, you go to the investment bank that holds it and manages it for you, and you take out a loan against it, the payments which are paid out of the proceeds of the investments. Likely, an interest-only loan, until such time as you pay off the loan principle, to keep the payment per month acceptable to the lender. If you dont have anything of value to borrow against, then you have to create something of value to borrow against. Most people do this by getting a job, and borrowing against future earnings. Others do it by starting a business. No one will give you a loan without some form of collateral, be it income, a portfolio of investments, a trust, or something from which future income may be realized.