UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q


QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number         811-6623         

        Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio         
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606         
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Kevin J. McCarthy Vice President and Secretary
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606         
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         312-917-7700        

Date of fiscal year end:             3/31          

Date of reporting period:          6/30/09         

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

    Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)              
    Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio (NXC)              
    June 30, 2009              
Principal         Optional Call          
Amount (000)     Description (1)     Provisions (2)     Ratings (3)     Value  
    Consumer Staples – 3.5%              
$        170     California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds, Sonoma     6/15 at 100.00     BBB    $   151,402  
      County Tobacco Securitization Corporation, Series 2005, 4.250%, 6/01/21              
1,170     California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Revenue     6/12 at 100.00     BBB     1,095,073  
      Bonds, Fresno County Tobacco Funding Corporation, Series 2002, 5.625%, 6/01/23              
4,045     Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Enhanced Tobacco Settlement     6/22 at 100.00     BBB     1,700,518  
      Asset-Backed Bonds, Series 2007A-2, 0.000%, 6/01/37              
5,385     Total Consumer Staples             2,946,993  
    Education and Civic Organizations – 9.6%              
3,000     California Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Santa Clara University, Series     4/18 at 100.00     Aa3     3,073,650  
      2008A, 5.625%, 4/01/37              
45     California Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, University of Redlands, Series     10/15 at 100.00     A3     39,299  
      2005A, 5.000%, 10/01/35              
1,000     California Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, University of San Diego, Series     10/12 at 100.00     A2     979,360  
      2002A, 5.500%, 10/01/32              
    California Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, University of the Pacific,              
    Series 2006:              
35       5.000%, 11/01/21     11/15 at 100.00     A2     34,148  
45       5.000%, 11/01/25     11/15 at 100.00     A2     41,587  
3,000     California Infrastructure Economic Development Bank, Revenue Bonds, J. David Gladstone     10/11 at 101.00     A–     3,067,740  
      Institutes, Series 2001, 5.500%, 10/01/19              
1,000     Long Beach Bond Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Long Beach     11/11 at 101.00     BBB     842,520  
      Aquarium of the South Pacific, Series 2001, 5.250%, 11/01/30 – AMBAC Insured              
8,125     Total Education and Civic Organizations             8,078,304  
    Health Care – 12.2%              
110     California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Kaiser Permanante System,     4/16 at 100.00     A+     95,744  
      Series 2006, 5.000%, 4/01/37              
2,550     California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Sutter Health, Series 2007A,     11/16 at 100.00     Aa3     2,286,993  
      5.250%, 11/15/46 (UB)              
2,000     California Infrastructure Economic Development Bank, Revenue Bonds, Kaiser Hospital Assistance     8/11 at 102.00     A+     1,955,100  
      LLC, Series 2001A, 5.550%, 8/01/31              
1,500     California Statewide Community Development Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Monterey     6/13 at 100.00     AAA     1,580,370  
      Peninsula Hospital, Series 2003B, 5.250%, 6/01/18 – FSA Insured              
1,500     California Statewide Community Development Authority, Insured Mortgage Hospital Revenue Bonds,     11/09 at 102.00     A     1,401,225  
      Mission Community Hospital, Series 2001, 5.375%, 11/01/26              
545     California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Kaiser Permanente System,     8/16 at 100.00     A+     504,714  
      Series 2001C, 5.250%, 8/01/31              
1,880     California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Los Angeles Orthopaedic     12/09 at 100.00     BBB+     1,874,416  
      Hospital Foundation, Series 2000, 5.500%, 6/01/17 – AMBAC Insured              
540     Loma Linda, California, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Series     12/18 at 100.00     BBB     568,447  
      2008A, 8.250%, 12/01/38              
10,625     Total Health Care             10,267,009  
    Housing/Multifamily – 0.8%              
750     California Statewide Community Development Authority, Student Housing Revenue Bonds, EAH –     8/12 at 100.00     Baa1     684,525  
      Irvine East Campus Apartments, LLC Project, Series 2002A, 5.500%, 8/01/22 – ACA Insured              
    Housing/Single Family – 0.1%              
115     California Housing Finance Agency, Home Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series 2006H, 5.750%,     2/16 at 100.00     Aa2     115,024  
      8/01/30 – FGIC Insured (Alternative Minimum Tax)              
    Industrials – 1.7%              
1,015     California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, Republic     No Opt. Call     BBB     954,648  
      Services Inc., Series 2002C, 5.250%, 6/01/23 (Mandatory put 12/01/17) (Alternative Minimum Tax)              
500     California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, Waste     1/16 at 102.00     BBB     451,520  
      Management Inc., Series 2002A, 5.000%, 1/01/22 (Alternative Minimum Tax)              
1,515     Total Industrials             1,406,168  
    Long-Term Care – 2.6%              
1,500     ABAG Finance Authority for Non-Profit Corporations, California, Insured Senior Living Revenue     11/12 at 100.00     A     1,416,945  
      Bonds, Odd Fellows Home of California, Series 2003A, 5.200%, 11/15/22              
1,000     California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Inland Regional Center     12/17 at 100.00     Ba1     776,810  
      Project, Series 2007, 5.250%, 12/01/27              
2,500     Total Long-Term Care             2,193,755  
    Tax Obligation/General – 21.9%              
750     California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.000%, 2/01/23     2/14 at 100.00     A     716,273  
1,000     Fremont Unified School District, Alameda County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series     8/12 at 101.00     Aa3     1,018,060  
      2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/21 – FGIC Insured              
    Golden West Schools Financing Authority, California, General Obligation Revenue Refunding              
    Bonds, School District Program, Series 1999A:              
4,650       0.000%, 8/01/16 – MBIA Insured     No Opt. Call     A     3,386,270  
1,750       0.000%, 2/01/17 – MBIA Insured     No Opt. Call     A     1,222,130  
2,375       0.000%, 8/01/17 – MBIA Insured     No Opt. Call     A     1,612,815  
2,345       0.000%, 2/01/18 – MBIA Insured     No Opt. Call     A     1,511,751  
    Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, Santa Clara County, California, General              
    Obligation Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series 1995C:              
1,015       0.000%, 5/01/17 – MBIA Insured     No Opt. Call     Aa2     699,051  
1,080       0.000%, 5/01/18 – MBIA Insured     No Opt. Call     Aa2     685,800  
100     Roseville Joint Union High School District, Placer County, California, General Obligation     8/15 at 100.00     AA–     100,464  
      Bonds, Series 2006B, 5.000%, 8/01/27 – FGIC Insured              
3,220     Sacramento City Unified School District, Sacramento County, California, General Obligation     7/15 at 100.00     Aa3     3,229,918  
      Bonds, Series 2005, 5.000%, 7/01/27 – MBIA Insured              
1,500     San Diego Unified School District, San Diego County, California, General Obligation Bonds,     7/13 at 101.00     AAA     1,659,480  
      Series 2003E, 5.250%, 7/01/24 – FSA Insured              
2,565     Sunnyvale School District, Santa Clara County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series     9/15 at 100.00     AAA     2,593,318  
      2005A, 5.000%, 9/01/26 – FSA Insured              
22,350     Total Tax Obligation/General             18,435,330  
    Tax Obligation/Limited – 20.3%              
1,000     Bell Community Redevelopment Agency, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Bell Project Area,     10/13 at 100.00     BBB–     888,250  
      Series 2003, 5.625%, 10/01/33 – RAAI Insured              
3,500     California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Department of Corrections,     No Opt. Call     A     4,044,772  
      Calipatria State Prison, Series 1991A, 6.500%, 9/01/17 – MBIA Insured              
1,000     California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Department of Mental Health,     6/14 at 100.00     A–     963,980  
      Coalinga State Hospital, Series 2004A, 5.500%, 6/01/23              
120     Capistrano Unified School District, Orange County, California, Special Tax Bonds, Community     9/15 at 100.00     A     108,037  
      Facilities District, Series 2005, 5.000%, 9/01/24 – FGIC Insured              
360     Chino Redevelopment Agency, California, Merged Chino Redevelopment Project Area Tax Allocation     9/16 at 101.00     BBB     282,744  
      Bonds, Series 2006, 5.000%, 9/01/38 – AMBAC Insured              
1,000     Fontana Public Financing Authority, California, Tax Allocation Revenue Bonds, North Fontana     10/15 at 100.00     A     816,130  
      Redevelopment Project, Series 2005A, 5.000%, 10/01/32 – AMBAC Insured              
3,150     Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed     6/15 at 100.00     A–     2,562,305  
      Revenue Bonds, Series 2005A, 5.000%, 6/01/45 – AMBAC Insured              
    Irvine, California, Unified School District, Community Facilities District Special Tax Bonds,              
    Series 2006A:              
60       5.000%, 9/01/26     9/16 at 100.00     N/R     52,024  
135       5.125%, 9/01/36     9/16 at 100.00     N/R     109,624  
215     Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, California, Lease Revenue Bonds, Manchester Social     9/15 at 100.00     A2     189,630  
      Services Project, Series 2005, 5.000%, 9/01/37 – AMBAC Insured              
1,300     Orange County, California, Special Tax Bonds, Community Facilities District 03-1 of Ladera     8/12 at 101.00     N/R     1,139,671  
      Ranch, Series 2004A, 5.625%, 8/15/34              
105     Rialto Redevelopment Agency, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Merged Project Area, Series     9/15 at 100.00     A–     83,859  
      2005A, 5.000%, 9/01/35 – SYNCORA GTY Insured              
130     Roseville, California, Certificates of Participation, Public Facilities, Series 2003A, 5.000%,     8/13 at 100.00     AA–     118,197  
      8/01/25 – AMBAC Insured              
605     Sacramento City Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1993A,     No Opt. Call     A     640,973  
      5.400%, 11/01/20 – MBIA Insured              
3,000     San Mateo County Transit District, California, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2005A, 5.000%,     6/15 at 100.00     AA     3,110,220  
      6/01/21 – MBIA Insured              
225     San Mateo Union High School District, San Mateo County, California, Certificates of     12/17 at 100.00     N/R     199,031  
      Participation, Phase 1, Series 2007A, 5.000%, 12/15/30 – AMBAC Insured              
1,000     Santa Clara County Board of Education, California, Certificates of Participation, Series 2002,     4/12 at 101.00     A     945,660  
      5.000%, 4/01/25 – MBIA Insured              
1,000     Travis Unified School District, Solano County, California, Certificates of Participation,     9/16 at 100.00     N/R     891,680  
      Series 2006, 5.000%, 9/01/26 – FGIC Insured              
17,905     Total Tax Obligation/Limited             17,146,787  
    Transportation – 5.7%              
1,150     Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, California, Toll Road Revenue Bonds, Series     1/10 at 100.00     BBB–     833,946  
      1995A, 5.000%, 1/01/35              
3,500     Los Angeles Harbors Department, California, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2001B, 5.500%,     8/11 at 100.00     AA     3,558,975  
      8/01/17 – AMBAC Insured (Alternative Minimum Tax)              
445     San Francisco Airports Commission, California, Revenue Bonds, San Francisco International     5/11 at 100.00     AA     382,037  
      Airport, Second Series 1999, Issue 23A, 5.000%, 5/01/30 – FGIC Insured (Alternative              
      Minimum Tax)              
5,095     Total Transportation             4,774,958  
    U.S. Guaranteed – 14.0% (4)              
400     Beverly Hills Unified School District, Los Angeles County, California, General Obligation     8/12 at 100.00     AA (4)     445,976  
      Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/26 (Pre-refunded 8/01/12)              
    California Department of Water Resources, Power Supply Revenue Bonds, Series 2002A:              
1,750       5.750%, 5/01/17 (Pre-refunded 5/01/12)     5/12 at 101.00     Aaa     1,986,723  
2,000       5.125%, 5/01/19 (Pre-refunded 5/01/12)     5/12 at 101.00     Aaa     2,235,820  
2,600     California Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, University of the Pacific, Series     11/11 at 100.00     A2 (4)     2,854,540  
      2002, 5.250%, 11/01/21 (Pre-refunded 11/01/11)              
800     California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.125%, 2/01/27 (Pre-refunded 2/01/14)     2/14 at 100.00     AAA     910,752  
2,000     North Orange County Community College District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series     8/12 at 101.00     AA (4)     2,242,020  
      2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/22 (Pre-refunded 8/01/12) – MBIA Insured              
1,000     Port of Oakland, California, Revenue Bonds, Series 2002M, 5.250%, 11/01/20 (Pre-refunded     11/12 at 100.00     A+ (4)     1,131,860  
      11/01/12) – FGIC Insured              
10,550     Total U.S. Guaranteed             11,807,691  
    Utilities – 5.5%              
645     Long Beach Bond Finance Authority, California, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue Bonds, Series     No Opt. Call     A     577,449  
      2007A, 5.500%, 11/15/37              
200     Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Power System Revenue Bonds, Series     7/13 at 100.00     AA–     206,232  
      2003A-2, 5.000%, 7/01/21 – MBIA Insured              
7,600     Merced Irrigation District, California, Certificates of Participation, Water and Hydroelectric     9/16 at 64.56     A     2,859,120  
      System Projects, Series 2008A, 0.000%, 9/01/23              
215     Merced Irrigation District, California, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Series 2005, 5.125%,     9/15 at 100.00     N/R     169,919  
      9/01/31 – SYNCORA GTY Insured              
780     Turlock Irrigation District, California, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1992A, 6.250%,     No Opt. Call     A1     816,293  
      1/01/12 – MBIA Insured              
9,440     Total Utilities             4,629,013  
    Water and Sewer – 2.4%              
150     Healdsburg Public Financing Authority, California, Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 2006,     4/16 at 100.00     AA–     137,390  
      5.000%, 4/01/36 – MBIA Insured              
250     Sacramento County Sanitation District Financing Authority, California, Revenue Bonds, Series     6/16 at 100.00     AA     247,330  
      2006, 5.000%, 12/01/31 – FGIC Insured              
825     South Feather Water and Power Agency, California, Water Revenue Certificates of Participation,     4/13 at 100.00     A     745,676  
      Solar Photovoltaic Project, Series 2003, 5.375%, 4/01/24              
1,000     Woodbridge Irrigation District, California, Certificates of Participation, Water Systems     7/13 at 100.00     A+     839,270  
      Project, Series 2003, 5.625%, 7/01/43              
2,225     Total Water and Sewer           1,969,666  
$     96,580     Total Long-Term Investments (cost $86,654,436) – 100.3%           84,455,223  
Principal                
Amount (000)     Description (1)       Ratings (3)     Value  
    Short-Term Investments – 0.8%            
$          713     State Street Bank Euro Dollar Time Deposit, 0.010%, 7/01/09       N/A   $   713,419  
    Total Short-Term Investments (cost $713,419)           713,419  
    Floating Rate Obligations – (1.8)%           (1,540,000)
    Total Investments (cost $87,367,855) – 101.1%           85,168,642  
    Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.7%           651,183  
    Net Assets – 100%         $   84,279,825  

Fair Value Measurements

In determining the value of the Fund’s investments various inputs are used. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of June 30, 2009:

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Investments:                  
   Municipal Bonds     $        —     $84,455,223     $ —     $84,455,223  
   Short-Term Investments     713,419     —     —     713,419  
Total     $713,419     $84,455,223     $ —     $85,168,642  

Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing taxable market discount, timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions and the treatment of investments in inverse floating rate transactions subject to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140 (SFAS No. 140), if any. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset values of the Fund.

At June 30, 2009, the cost of investments was $85,820,299.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments at June 30, 2009, were as follows:

Gross unrealized:      
  Appreciation     $ 2,677,961  
  Depreciation     (4,873,262)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments     $(2,195,301)

(1)     All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.  
(2)     Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption.  
    There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities  
    may be subject to periodic principal paydowns.  
(3)     Ratings: Using the higher of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investor Service,  
    Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s or Baa by Moody’s are considered to be  
    below investment grade.  
(4)     Backed by an escrow or trust containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency securities  
    which ensure the timely payment of principal and interest. Such investments are normally considered to  
    be equivalent to AAA rated securities.  
N/A     Not applicable.  
N/R     Not rated.  
(UB)     Underlying bond of an inverse floating rate trust reflected as a financing transaction pursuant to the  
    provisions of SFAS No. 140.  

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

  1. The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
  2. There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: See EX-99 CERT attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant)         Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio         

By (Signature and Title)          /s/ Kevin J. McCarthy                    
                                                  Kevin J. McCarthy
                                                  Vice President and Secretary

Date          August 28, 2009        

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title)         /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman                    
                                                 Gifford R. Zimmerman
                                                 Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer) 

Date          August 28, 2009        

By (Signature and Title)         /s/ Stephen D. Foy                              
                                                 Stephen D. Foy
                                                 Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer) 

Date         August 28, 2009        

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