If you have done California several years ago why not try somewhere else? USA is huge and plenty of other places to see. Southwest Airlines have a bus like service out of LAX and you are only $100 round trip from places like PHX or LAS. AZ, NM, UT, NV and CO have some pretty sweet flying. If you want a very well maintained fleet then Falcon Executive at Falcon Field near PHX will look after you, call them up and see if you can do a deal, google for the web site. I'd go a bit more powerful than a 172/warrior though, budget on $100 per hour for something a bit more useful at high DH and you will not be far off.
Sounds like you will need a BFR and a medical. If you have an FAA IR then an IPC with an instructor should sort you out. If you don't have an IR then some places will not hire for a long trip, don't think the place I mentioned has this limitation. If you end up going to PHX then PM me and I'll give you a medical examiner who will get you in and out in five minutes.