If by "recently" you mean 2009, then yes. However that went back down in 2011. CA State sales taxes have been within ± 0.5% of 7.75% since 1991 (aside from a 1 year dip to 7%) [1].
[1] https://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/taxrateshist.htm
If by "recently" you mean 2009, then yes. However that went back down in 2011. CA State sales taxes have been within ± 0.5% of 7.75% since 1991 (aside from a 1 year dip to 7%) [1].
[1] https://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/taxrateshist.htm