Reptile in home garden

Don't know what kind of snake it is but if you look at the head, that's the shape of a poisonous snake!

Not all vipers have a wedge shaped head. If you can, have a look at the eyes. If they look like fish eyes - round pupils in a round eye - you've got a constrictor. This one looks to be a recently fed juvenile rat snake or racer. I don't know your garden snakes in California, but it doesn't have a rattler and it looks like it just ate a mouse. For clarity, do a google search on garden snakes in your state. There should be plenty of photos.

Its not a snake, its a lizard..... an California, Southern or Shasta alligator lizard... if you look at your third picture down you can see his hind legs.... https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/images/ecshasten2hu604.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/e.c.shastensis.html&h=584&w=900&tbnid=21eWhsz7cRDxOM&tbnh=181&tbnw=279&vet=1&docid=s8GaIyyJUxFXeM

Looks like a gopher snake to me. Here are some guides to help you.

http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/snakespics.html

http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/common.html

http://www.snake-removal.com/california.html

https://animals.mom.me/types-snakes-northern-california-4350.html

And here is how to keep them away:

https://www.imustgarden.com/repel-snakes

http://www.wildlife-removal.com/snakekeepaway.html

https://www.pestwiki.com/keep-snakes-away-methods/

I agree with Sharon. If you look just below the light twig laying over her and the pipe, you'll see her hind legs and feet. Follow her body to just behind her head on your left and you'll see her front elbow and foot. They're GREAT to have in the garden. She'll eat all the bad bugs. Great photos by the way!

I don't know the name or if it's a snake or a lizard. Having a irrational fear of reptiles my question would be, how do I get rid of it and are there more still hiding. If there was someone in the neighborhood that was not afraid to pick it up with a rake and deposit it in a safe place, I would enlist their help. If not, I would call the Human Society and have someone come out and remove this lovely reptile.

Do not try to kill it as even with the head removed from the body, the head can still bite and release it's venom. Be safe rather than sorry. A good laugh at your expense might be embarrassing however it is better than you or someone else being harmed.

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Snakes/Top-10-Venomous-North-American-Snakes/

Keep pets on leash when out in yard until you know it's gone. Also keep a closer eye on kids. Once they know a snake exists they go looking for it...especially boys.

Here's a link to 10 Most common poisonous snakes in North America. It may help to keep a stick handy when out in your yard. Use it to hit ground and make noise. Most snakes would rather move than get in a fight. Most bites come from surprised or stepped on snakes. You can also call animal control in your area to see if they will come get it or tell you who will.

After looking at the pictures online I have to agree that it is a alligator lizard. However I would find a husband,father, son or neighbor who would find joy in relocating the critter to a safer place as I would have a heart attack if he slithered up to me while working in my yard.