I'm assuming you're going to be in a single and flight times are based on that.
Las Vegas- 2-2.5 hours
Catalina Island- Less than an hour(great airport location)
Big Bear- About an hour (6500' elevation)--great if you like skiing
Grand Canyon- 3-4 hours
San Francisco- 4-5 hours with a stop for lunch
Santa Barbara- 1-1.5 hours
Santa Monica airport about an hour(try the spitfire grill there or the Thai restaurant)
People at the school should have info on all of these places and what you need in the way of charts and radio procedures.
Happy trails
Oh don't forget palm springs
I did about 1500 hours of flying/flight instructing in the San Diego/LA area if you need any more info let me know
Regards
FYF
------------------
Oh no,not again!