Among the celebrants was Sacramento gay rights advocate Matthew Bunch. His reaction was tempered by the expectation that the case will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.  

"We won today and that's an exciting and great feeling. I'm still a little hesitant to get overly excited given that we've lost so many times in the past."

Also celebrating were Ellen Pontac and Shelly Bailes, two middle-aged women from Davis. They got married to each other in 2008 when same-sex marriages were legal in California.

Pontac: "I expected this answer but I can't believe how anxious I was." Bailes: "Yeah, I am overjoyed also. I was anxious just like Ellen said. But we are getting so close I can taste it in my bones."

Pontac and Bailes expect more legal fights ahead…but for now…

Pontac: "I know we have a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator." Bailes: "I can't wait to pop that cork (laughter)."