In California (and several other states), establishments that want to sell alcohol must obtain a license (different types for different alcohol: beer, wine, etc.). After filing an application, residents have 30 days to file an objection. You need to specify the exact reason why the establishment would be problematic.

For example, the location is in the center of a residential neighborhood and would create noise disturbance. You can find more examples on the alcohol control department's page.

In other states, alcohol sales are controlled by state authorities, but that's a completely different story.