Welcome to the forum. I’m originally from LA as well. Great place, but huge so when thinking of places to fly you have lots of options.
Beach: stay away from the local SJW / Save the World types (Malibu, Rancho Palos Verdes, Santa Monica) and highly populated (Redondo, Venice, Etc). Less populated coast line (I.e. north of MalIbu up through Ventura offers some nice options) or the south coast down through Oceanside.
Mountains: Most of the San Bernardino national forest is open, with a few exceptions. Arrow Head, Big Bear, areas around Wrightwood, even local spots around the Pasadena/Arcadia foothills offer options and wonder views.
Desert: most of the high desert, with the exception of Palm Springs, Joshua and the various national monuments in that area are open. Palm Springs is the one odd area. Very restrictive for no particularly good reason.
So lots of options, depending on what your looking for.