I was out there in 2004, flew from a place called French Valley which is about an hour north (in a car) from San Diego. Nearest place was Montgomery field to where I was staying just North of San Diego, Go to Del Mar there, its cool place great bars, beach.
Flying got to go into Santa Monica, you come in by the big Hollywood sign on the westerly runway. Great view of downtown LA.
If you can fly up to Santa Barbera that's cool aswell, great restaurant on the airfield there called the Elephant Bar. Im jealous want to go back!