Don't know what the local laws/regulations are in CA, but can only assume they're as bad, if not worse, than MA. My suggestion would be to pickup some bear spray/mace. You could literally attach it to your bike and most people would assume it was a bike pump or some other tool, wouldn't think twice. The only caution would be to make sure you're wearing sunglasses if you have to use it. It should at the very least buy you enough time to get away and hopefully restore some confidence.