Definitely helps to start planning now; although the best opportunity while no guarantee; was to start at the 330 day mark which would have been in May

I would just drive to and including the parents to LAX and take flights from there; one less issue to deal with as those SAN-LAX flights are a crap shoot for on time or CX due to bizarre things like aircraft being overweight; then factor in you will need what six seats on the next plane.. makes thing dicey