Living in S.E. Texas.. we are lucky to have the Houston International Quilt Festival here!
I don't LA but if I were considering it...
I'd definitely test drive ALL the models at the festival and ask the manufacturer reps TONS of questions.
They often have special prices during the festival.
Not to mention that they have crazy deals on their floor models at the end of the festival.
The only bad thing is that you'd have to wait until November. :(