Bundle of rights associated with owning real property include:

• Right of possession
• Right to use
• Right to transfer
• Right to encumber
• Right to exclude

Surface rights apply to the real estate contained within the surface boundaries of the parcel. This includes the ground, all natural things affixed to the ground, and all improvements.

Water rights basically concern the rights to own and use water found in lakes, streams, rivers, and the ocean.

Littoral rights concern properties abutting bodies of water that are not moving, such as lakes and seas. Owners of properties abutting a navigable, non-moving body of water enjoy the littoral right of use, but do not own the water or the land beneath the water. Littoral rights attach to the property. When the property is sold, the littoral rights transfer with the property to the new owner. 

Riparian rights concern properties abutting moving water, such as streams and rivers. If a property abuts a stream or river, the owner's riparian rights are determined by whether the water is navigable or not navigable. Navigable and non-navigable waterways must be determined by an official source.

California has a complex system regulating the use of water. Rights to water are based upon the right to use water and not upon ownership of water.