It sounds, to me, like you maybe brewed alone? If that's the case and those were the only mistakes you made, they that's pretty awesome.
Pretty soon you'll be like me and totally obsessed with brewing.
If you haven't checked already, the California Homebrewers Association (
www.calhomebrewers.org ) is having their yearly southern california homebrewers festival the first weekend of May at lake casitas in Ojai.
If you want, there is also a club list on their site that you can use to hook up with a local club. I think there are a couple in your area.
I signed up to volunteer at the festival recently and if they still need help, a 2 hour volunteer session will cover my membership for the year and provide me access to the fest. You have to be a member to attend. Tickets are not sold.
Check it out and keep on brewing
Adopt a deaf dog. It will change your life in a positive way
Jamil Zainasheff has a walk in cooler.
Pamela Anderson has a walk in cooter.
