However, after doing my research and talking with a few people, I've been feeling SUPER overwhelmed.

Mostly car collectors, people with large RV's ( read Custom Bus)., or people with boats and jet ski's that need stored in the winter.

As you know, this part of CA is nothing like what most people associate CA with.

Haha this is why this situation is so confusing - many people with differing interpretations!

I'm torn because people say "don't sell... houses are going to keep going up".

It also help comfort people.

But I don't want to waste other people's time and would definitely feel a lot more confident overall if I knew that the money was there. 

Looking at this kitchen (Rehab/Flip deal), I know how to price out work and deal with subs but how are people coming up with how to redesign the layout?

Yes development can have huge upside but I have also seen people lose $20M in a development deal gone bad. 

You seem pumped up to do this, but do it first at a local meetup (in terms of connecting with people) or else you are just going to get a bunch of people trying to sell you services or on how good they are.