I live in Dana Point, and I have a brighamia I bought about a year ago. I've been treating it like a succulent that needs a little watering. It doesn't seem to mind going without water for a week or two. I have it growing in a pot right next to some Madagascar palms, so it gets pretty much the same treatment that they do. It's in a spot that gets varying amounts of direct sun, depending on the time of year, because it's between two apartment buildings.

Anyway, mine seems to be doing well in these conditions. I think brighamia are winter growers, because mine has really perked up in the past month or so. It's starting to flower now and has started to branch at the top.

I see no reason why you couldn't get great results in Santa Monica.