Don't buy lenses/cameras/equipment from physical camera shops here, they are overpriced! Buy online from Adorama/BnH.
If you can go out of LA, there's Yosemite/King's Canyon/Sequoia Nat Park, about 4 hours away. To the west, there's the Pacific Highway 1, about 3-5 hours drive depending which part you want to go to (Big Sur/Monterey are good suggestions). If you're heading eastwards, there's Death Valley, Highway 395, but it's kind of out of the way. About 5-6 hours drive.
There aren't any nice landscapes until you get out of the city area.
If you've the time, visit Disneyland/universal studios/six flags theme park :thumbsup: