My sympathy. I have a similar problem near where I live. Even though the parallel streets in your case look to be quieter, the issues involved with stop signs (and/or no traffic lights) probably more than offset their advantages, since most of the risk to cyclists from motorists is at intersections.

I agree with your approach, which is to ride far enough away from the curb that the unconscious risk-benefit analysis by the motorist morphs from "pass cyclist closely and get there faster" to "risk collision with a lane change or wait until it's safe."

In Oregon we have an aggressive passing law; on a street like this a motorist would be required to leave enough room so that--if a cyclist were to fall--his vehicle would completely miss the cyclist. Since there are multiple lanes in your direction of travel, an Oregon driver is effectively expected to cede the entire lane to you.

I'm not sure what the issue is in California. Just be safe.