Hate to come across as a beer snob, but before I visit any place to have a pint I usually check it out via Beermenus or BeerAdvocate. For example, a local favorite is the Bottle Room in Whittier, which also happens to be a place you can earn miles via rewardsnetwork. Not exactly centrally located, but you can't always have everything you want. Sometimes they are slow to update their BeerMenus tap list, so I'll ring them if I need something particular.

Another local (to SoCal) place that I favor is Beechwood BBQ, with two locations in Seal Beach and Long Beach.

There are many equivalents in SoCal, depending on how far you care to go.