Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

This smells like a final dissertation defense to me rather than a bar exam or some part of a job interview. It would be good to allow some extra time at the end if possible for further comments/suggestions/advice (for example, about publication plans) and maybe a bit of socializing with the committee, depending on the customs in your field and at your institution. Does anything need to be filed afterward at the time, such as the final copy or some signed forms?

Can you take a redeye back to the east coast and go to work the day you arrive? That would give you more options, including returning a rental car to LAX and flying from there in combination with the flight into SNA. This could save money.