Staying put in LA (when everyone else is away) isn't so bad.  Heck, I got to hike with my hon while our shadows held hands.  Just beware the dreaded devil's coach horse beetle - it behaves like a scorpion, smells like a stink bug if provoked, and apparently has a bite to remember.  We saw quite a few of these European invaders.  The one below was about one and a half inches long.  I'll work on getting a better photo...