These are my two favorites:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/mens-cargo-shorts%7C/pc/105625080/c/104081580/cabelas-mens-trail-shorts-inseam/722797.uts

http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/mens-cargo-shorts%7C/pc/105625080/c/104081580/cabelas-mens-legendary-pocket-hiker-shorts-inseam/1324933.uts

I like the bigger patch pockets of the "Trail Shorts", but they don't have an elastic wasit.

I hate the small patch pockets on the "Legendary Shorts", but these shorts do have the elastic waist.

I like these for a pretty specialized reason. The cargo pockets (what I called "patch pockets" above) are directly on top of the main pockets, not down on your thighs. This is good (specialized use) for when you are concealed carrying a firearm in your front pocket. Those patch pockets directly on top of the main pocket do a pretty good job of breaking up the outline of the firearm. And if you put something into those patch pockets, that serves even better to break up the outline. Obviously, an appropriate holster is needed as well, preferably one that itself breaks up the outline. But also, ignoring the firearm, I hate cargo pockets down your thighs because if you put anything even remotely heavy or bulky in them, they bounce uncomfortably on your leg.

Since you live in California, chances are slim that you're in the 0.0001% of the state's population that can actually get a CCW permit, so my reasons for liking these shorts is probably of zero value to you. Still, they're nice shorts and are quite durable. Note that you can get shorts that look just like these from Bass Pro Shops. But in my experience, the Bass Pro variety is made of much lessor fabric and they rip and wear out much sooner.