used to be into it a lot more in my single days, but now its maybe a couple a couple of times a year.
I only have an AB Biller 42 now that works ok for me for a variety.
Semi pro guys have nice custom rigs that can nail a white seabass at 30+ feet out.
Laguna is fairly fished out, but there are some still good spots here and there. Much less kelp cover in Laguna.
Reef Point at Crystal Cove state beach is cool. I always see big animals there. I've seen leopard sharks, big sting rays and bat rays, horn sharks, sheepshead, lobster, calicos, harbor seals, etc there. Its south facing so southern storms make it a good surf spot, but once you get outside the surf zone its not too bad. There is a sand falts/eel grass area at about 20 feet deep and then you get to some submerged pinnacles/exposed roks at low tide. On the backside of these it drops off to 60+ feet.
There are several good spots in Palos Verdes. The parking is tough, and some of the hikes down the hill are hard (especially on return after diving), but its worthwhile. Either in and underneath the kelp canopy, or just on the edges and looking out into bluewater is usually good. Often Palos Verdes is in lee of wave shadow of Catalina, so more often divable.