“Venue rules designate a particular county [or counties] within California as the ‘proper’ place for trial of the action. Since jurisdiction is statewide, the venue rules serve to narrow geographically the place for trial. [Purpose of venue rules is] to give defendant some control in the choice of the forum. Otherwise, plaintiff might file the action in some remote county where it would be difficult or impractical for defendant to defend.”
“Because the venue statutes declare California public policy with respect to the proper court, agreements fixing venue in some county other than that allowed by statute are unenforceable as contrary to public policy. Generally, venue rules are not jurisdictional. This means that if the action is filed in an “improper” court, and no objection is raised, that court can render an enforceable judgment.”
[California Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial [citations to primary sources omitted]]
