JGoodbody, very sensible to not yet have parted with the cash. When you turn up at the flying school/club, have a good look at the aircraft, if you see flat tyres, scruffy interiors, and oilstained cowlings, apologise and go elsewhere.
Do not be bamboozeled into paying for any special deals up front, pay each lesson as you fly it. You may not be pleased with the instructor, there may be other problems, like the company going bust with your money before your course is completed. These things do happen.
Florida is truly great. If you are flying anywhere near Orlando, pay a visit to Jack Brown's Seaplane base in Winter Haven, have a go! Take in a professional baseball game (the teams come South for the winter). Or a high school American Football game. Amazingly there is a professional ice hockey team in Tampa.
If you have time, Florida is entirely surrounded by warm water, good fishing, sailing in Tampa Bay, good surfing in the Atlantic Ocean on the East Coast (try New Smyrna beach), and small friendly sharks. Snorkeling on Key Largo is AMAZING. Swimming in a crystal spring is another unforgettable experience.
California doesn't come anywhere near it!