As a former CA resident the answer is certainly yes - you will pay CA use tax (the correct term). Believe no one on this forum (including me) or any phone call to the CA DVM or the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). It DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU.
The CA use tax is determined by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) interpretation of Publication 52 when the use tax is due REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE PREVIOUSLY TOLD YOU.
Yes it's possible to not pay the CA use tax if you are meet all of the requirements in publication 52. Doubtful to me that the exemptions apply to the OPs stated case.