Malosma laurina. If not, Rhus ovata. I'm always mixing up those two, so I'll just provide both names and let you sort them out. ;) I think it is the Malosma, though.

Thank you! It looks like Malosma laurina (or laurel sumac). I've spotted another seedling in the backyard, if it survives the next couple of weeks I'll pot it up and eventually put it into the front yard. I'd like to rip out the grass and put in some native plants. This would be a good one.

aaargghhhh it has been renamed!!! Well so much for Rhus laurina!!

Awesome plant, fragrant, kind of indestructible, classic hillside plant all over So Cal.

Unfortunately it does not tolerate heavy frost, so that limits range. It also burns well in fires, so it is a poor candidate for being too close to structures.

Thanks guys! I do like the look, but if I do end up using it in the front yard I'll have to keep it pruned back, I've seen some pretty large specimens near me. The fire bit does concern me, so I'll have to think about that. I'm several streets back from the local natural open area, so there is some buffer there.

We had a very large laurel sumac pretty close to our new construction house. Our neighbor warned us they light up the sky during wildfires, so we paid to have it removed. Planted with other california natives - there are so many to choose from. Warning: laurel sumac is extremely "aggressive". I still find little shoots trying to grow up again. It grows back fast and strong if just cut back without removing the roots. A wonderful tree if it is far away from burning structures threat. The smell is very distinctive so makes IDing little shoots easy.