My wife and I are planning on having a child, and want to have as much information covered as possible.

In California, I have heard men are entitled to take paid "Maternity/Paternity" leave, as women do, when their spouce is ready to give birth.

Is this true? if so, how much time? If not, why not?

This website compares potential leave available to you under FMLA and California Family Rights Act. The best place to start, however, is with your employer.

Generally, you would not be eligible for leave before your wife gives birth unless she is having a medically difficult pregnancy and needs you there to take care of her.

I will look into the info you provided.

off the top of your head, do you know if time off is cosidered for the father after she gives birth?

I don't know what happened to my link. Here it is: http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/fmla/ca.htm