Totally right on about not letting distance be a factor. Though you're lucky been in california. You have David Hoffer, Zang @ hishair, Jae Pak. Good look ink also just opened an office in LA. All are really good from what I have seen.
I'm happy with my own procedure. Austin, Houston, infact Texas in general is very limited as far as clinics but I made the right choice through not rushing into my decision and doing as much research as I felt was needed.
Like hairingiscaring said goto someone with a strong and solid reputation online. See good yelps reviews or facebook reviews? Check out the profiles of the people posting and see if they are real people.