I've been vegan for over 2 years now. Eating vegan is a lot easier than most people think. It's worth a little time and effort to read about the source of animal ingredients in food, but as Olive said, only put as much effort into it as you feel comfortable. I've heard of some people burning out, but I don't see it happening to me. It's just not that hard.
A lot of people tell me they would try eating vegetarian or vegan, but they love cheese/ice cream too much. I always tell them to go ahead and try being vegetarian, but still eat cheese or ice cream. It's not about feeling deprived. It's about doing some good for yourself and the planet.
I personally am a pretty strict vegan, but that being said, I am lazy. I'm not going to be a great source of recipe advice because I am all about convenience and don't like to cook. You live in an area that is saturated with great sources of vegetarian food. All those Trader Joe's and Whole Food Markets make it so easy. As do all the vegetarian and ethnic restaurants in SoCal.
You can walk into most Whole Food Markets and the bakery section will have fresh vegan apple pies and cakes in stacks. Go to the freezer section for soy ice cream, Boca Burgers, and Amy's frozen meals including pizza. Run by the energy bar section and pick up a load of Clif Bars and Luna Bars. All vegan.
Keep in mind you will need to take vitamin B-12. You will need supplements since our modern society gets most of its B-12, a bacterially derived vitamin, from meat. An ironic twist since our ancestors probably got most of their B-12 from vegetables and other sources. Essentially B-12 comes from dirt, and as we have become cleaner over time, we have eliminated a lot of dirt from our diet. Just drink Silk or another fortified soy milk and you'll get your calcium, D and B-12.
Let me know if you have any questions.