I guess it depends on what you're trying to do?
LA was for years the anathema for me so i finally made myself go up there (from SD where i had housing if I wanted it) and camp out for two weeks (I always prefer wild secluded spaces).
It was doable. Highlights were Pasadena/ rose bowl, la Canada flintridge, will Rogers state park, i even slept on a grassy hillside in view of downtown. For Venice beach you've got balloona creek.
But if you're an urban extrovert that's a different more crazy game. And there are few places that game would be as interesting i imagine as in LA.
Regardless, unless you're in Malibu/Santa Monica mountains or head back into the san Gabriels LA is car hell and noise of freeways ubiquitous as is associated pollution.
Why not go to a smaller town? Big bear, Ojai, idylwild, Joshua tree.
Get your ebt and health insurance at some county benefits office, get a library card, get a job if you want one and live a good life.
It's only those who have enough to easily pay for housing and those who don't pay for housing who like CA the most i think.
