Julian,
The only thing I can come close to, is when I hired a C182 from Boeing Field in Seattle, and went puddle jumping round Washington state (That is severley recommended!!!!!)
After holding in the locality of Bill Gates's gaff, due to Al Gore kissing babies and AFII being on the ground, KBFI was shut. Still, I felt better for pi**ing off Bill Gates, seeing as how my copy of MS98 still crashes now and then!
Yes, I am a true believer in KLGB and the immediate benefits of flying Southern California. SOCAL are a great help 99% of the time.
So, ggive it a whirl,
Turn left at The Los Angeles River, and call the abeam the Queen !
Tailwinds