Might be worth your time to check out Willie Allen. He hunts NC. I've got a Tundra Swan hunt booked with him in Jan. I haven't hunted with him before but he comes highly recommended by a guy I trust completely and his references checked out. In addition to swan he guides for deer and bear as well. NC has some really good bear and it would be drivable from LA.

http://www.outbackoutfittersnc.com/index.html

If you want to go the other way, there are some good outfits that hunt around Raton NM. I can't recommend any particular guy but the NM/CO border has a lot of bear.

I've done most my bear hunting in BC but did take one while elk hunting in CO once.