How about some Hibiscus or Poppies. They are very colorful and should do well in that climate. Hibiscus would be great since you are going for looks.

It depends on how much sun you get on the balcony (and the wind patterns). In your zone, you can try plumerias, jasmines, citrus, any of the michelias, bougies, mandies, passies, camillias, etc. Again - depending on the sun you get.

There are LOTS of Dwarf Citrus Trees that make good potted plants if you get a container large enough! If you buy a really big pot & are worried about weight then use Foam Packing Peanuts instead of Gravel in the bottom of the pot!

I got that off HGTV & tried it with my plant & it works great! + U get the bonus of recycling! Just ask your friends to save theirs up if they get any packages or buy them from the UPS Store!

Cactus also makes great potted plants & if you get a kind that flower it will be twice as pretty. San Pedro Cactus has beautiful large night/morning blossoms!! Miniature Prickly Pear are nice too and you can get the kind without needles & in colors from normal green to pink to purple!! Just make sure you use the special Cactus/Succulent soil.

If you have a patio with an apartment above it then you can get a trellis from Home Depot & cover 1 of the 3 sides with a vine such as grape or another large, bushy plant that can be trained over it. But again, it all depends on your sun exposure and wind.

Oh, & Aloe! Aloe doe GREAT in that climate! I lived in Phoenix for many years & so I am going to tell you right up front:

2/3 of ALL plants you try to grow will probably die before you get used to growing in the climate of Cali! Just be prepared for the disappointment  We ALL went through it!

You eventually get used to the climate & will be a better judge of what to do! Ask some neighbors or corner an employee in the garden department of Home Depot & start asking question!

Good luck!

OH!! I just thought of this! If you have a roof or a patio above or can install a sun shade on your patio AND have access to a water source outside I HIGHLY recomend that you get a Misting System!

That's the toobing with the mister spouts spaced ever few inches! It doesn't use that much water and it can drop the temp on your patio 15+ Degrees and in the SW it can be both a Plant and a People life saver!

You still have to water just as much as you did before you install but it will help with leaf burn and heat related issues!

It can cost as little at $25 or go as high as you want to go depending on the style of system you go with!

They even sell a toobless system that is about as tall as a stand Fan that you can set in a corner and aim where you want it!

I hope this helps! Good luck!