Matt,
Thanks for all your help. To answer your question, better than even odds that we'll be moving out towards your direction.
Also, for anyone traveling out to LA,there's a place to rent cats (Santa Barbara Catamarans) right on the beach. They have a great selection which includes a Hobie Wave, H16, two Nacra 5.2, Nacra 6.0 and a Prindle 19. They're all in great shape. I took out the Prindle with Matt, and learned a thing or two (or three).
Santa Barabra is a slice of paradise and the sailing is spectacular. I'd highly recomend it.
Also Matt, I bought Bethwaite's book on High Performace Sailing and its a real eye-opener. Great reading for anyone on this forum.
Thanks again Matt!!!
Bill