Most common routing is KSNA SLI POPPR SMO VNY KCMA. I’m willing to bet that after SMO(clear of LAX) they get direct KCMA. But I tend to fly VFR(if in a small piston) down there just because it’s quicker than getting delayed behind the airline traffic at SNA/BUR and corporate jets at VNY, so I’m not sure if that is normal. But I think they were landing by his camp, not actually at KCMA. Which if so, VFR would make sense in that if above or in the soup, he’d be stuck without an approach. If it was airport to airport, no need for a helicopter in the first place...unless that’s just how he rolled.