Yep, as EA says, XC is 50nm between points, the qualifying XC was about 200-250nm (cant remember now!) - and in *real* IMC ! I flew Long Beach-Brown(Mexican border with Tijuana)-Palm Springs-LGB.
I am still a bit bedazzled by why guys think there is no IMC in the US! Maybe its because most goto Florida which is excellent weather (I was only there for 2 wks but was throwing myself from aircraft rather than flying them). CA will have you flying in whatever weather you like.
You can, if you wish, even take the IMC course in the US, there is a school who teach (and examine) over there. I didnt find any probs with flying IFr on my return apart from the radio was a bit different, but soon got into the swing of things with that..
Julian.