We did just that for three years starting in 2013. We spent about half of that time on
anchor and the rest on moorings or in slips. We enjoyed time in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard/Chanel Islands, Paradise Cove, various coves around
Catalina Island, Marina Del Rey, Kings Harbor/Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Long Beach,
Newport Beach,
Dana Point, Oceanside, Mission Bay, San Diego, Glorietta Bay and Chula Vista. Anchoring is limited in many places. Often restricted to three days. The trickiest and most enforced rules are for Mission Bay and the various coves in San Diego. Check with the harbor police there for
current rules and for permitting. Transient slips are often available but may require reservations and can get expensive. Even moorings can be costly. Don’t call yourself
live aboard. Instead refer to yourself as transient or in transit. If you are a yacht club
member limited reciprocal
docking may be available at some clubs.
One suggestion for a cruising guide is Charlie's
Charts: U.S. Pacific Coast.