...and some specific kit ideas...

Just in passing, here's three buildings that would all make great models. I'll get around to 'em some day.

• First, Hotel Torino / Henry's Hi-Life: Pictures from the Library of Congress's Historic American Buildings Survey
  (full data).
  
• Alameda French Bakery, San Jose
  
• 
  Woelffel Cannery, Monte Vista (Cupertino) (full data).
  

I'm a big fan of the Library of Congress's Historic American Buildings Survey / Historical American Engineering Record, and think are a great resource. What's the most interesting California-appropriate building you can find there?