Hi,
I did my hour-bulding over in California back in the summer of 2007 - flew out of Montgomery Field, San Diego. Try 'Plus One Fliers' at MYF - they're still there as far as I know - I block-booked a PA-28 from them for five weeks, including some days off R&R and flew in excess of 120 hours, including trips to Las Vegas, San Francisco, Palm Springs and a whole host of other places around LA. I went over with a JAR-PPL, did a check-out flight with an instructor at MYF, and that was it.
I did a LOT of research about flying out in the States and in CA in particular, and would recommend it a lot more than Florida - I do think the flying is likley to be more interesting and certainly more interesting. It does cost a bit more to get there though! Do think about when you want to go and avoid the July/Aug summer season if you can - I didn't! It can get uncomfortably hot (and bumpy) over the desert!
Safe flying.
HW