Look for areas with strong rental demand, appreciating property values and favorable investment opportunities.Lastly, connect with other investors and attend local REI networking groups and meetups.

Starting to dream about building a trendy tiny home /  container home community in our local mountain town that has become insanely unaffordable to the  locals.

I spoke to local owners who have been audited for increasing rents without there permission and they had to pay back the difference!

The above are made up numbers that will vary based on your market and local regulations but you get the idea. 

Have him match you up with someone locally that knows CA tax sales inside and out.   

One of my top recommendations is to attend a local real estate meetup event so you can connect in real life with various people who share your ambitions.

Are there any local land brokers that come recommended? 

This is a partnership deal with one of my long-term clients.

For starters, I suggest you tune in to the BiggerPockets Podcast and connect with the local lenders and brokers.

If it's run by the local government as most water companies are; you can file a Freedom of Information Act Request.