I'm not in SoCal, I'm in Sac, but I like to plant once it's been raining (if/when it rains). Like in late winter. I guess it depends on what you're planting, too, but if the yard is slightly sloped you shouldn't have drainage issues.

Kudos on planting drought-tolerant stuff. I have heard nothing to the effect that this winter will be a wet one, however. If anything, current projections are for the drought to continue without abatement. You should do your planting in the fall and not be counting on any torrential rains. It's hard to say with any certainty, but now is not the time to get our hopes up based on scant evidence.

I have to admit I am guilty. Sometimes I have the uncontrollable urge to plant things. So I know I should not be doing much gardening in the super hot days, yet I have done it. I don't think I ever lost a plant. One thing I like to do is put them in the ground just before sundown. Then they can rest over night. I doubt it makes any difference, I just feel better that way. If I could control my impulses I would plant everything around September.

Here I prefer to wait until the rains start, usually that will be in November. Al

North San Diego county here. I'll usually start planting bigger things like shrubs/trees once it's cooled off in the fall/early winter. I'd rather take my chances with too much rain than torturing plants with hot weather while they're trying to establish themselves...even with drought tolerant plants, you do need to water more often after transplanting, so the rains usually help.

Fall is the best. Spring is a safe alternative. I've lost too many drought tolerant and natives planted in mid-summer. Fall-planted plants perform best because they establish an extensive root system throughout the "rainy" season and can handle drought better when summer hits. Spring planted plants don't have that added advantage and tend to wilt or show signs of drought stress sooner.

here you go Sean,

http://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/june-el-ni%C3%B1o-update-damn-torpedoes-full-speed-ahead

thank you for the responses. Yes I am planning on planting Cape Honeysuckle, fountaingrass, Ceanothus: Concha, Skylark, Lantana, some Agaves and Salvia Leucantha. The nursery said it wasn't too late to plant but I had read waiting until fall was best but I was more concerned for the clay soil what was best because many have stated online that its best to plant in clay before it becomes bone dry from the July/August heat.

Think twice before planting fountain grass. Some types are invasive. Plant Right

Be careful with Cape Honeysuckle, as it spreads aggressively once established , and is difficult to eradicate.

I planted my drought friendly garden this past January ( I have heavy clay here too in Simi Valley) . I think this was a great time of year to plant! It's cool, we get some rain etc. My plants are already pretty well estaished and I only have to irrigate once a week! All my plants are doing great!

I did amnend the soil to help break up the clay! It is so much easier to dig into clay when the ground is moist!

PS- I did get lucky that we did not have any frost this year...

Some of those like the agave, cape honeysuckle and lantana you would be able to plant now and be just fine. Planting the ceanothus in the middle of summer, though, is like just putting them out to die. They won't respond well to summer watering and will likely die.