Not the best choice, I'm afraid. Dogwoods are woodland understory trees by nature, typically receiving at least dappled shade from taller tree canopies. While they can take full sun in cooler locations, full sun combined with Central Valley heat will make for a very unhappy, stressed tree. They are not even happy in full sun here in the PNW and we never approach anything close to the summer heat you do!

Why not try something like your native western redbud, Cercis occidentalis. Or a flowering crabapple.

Crape myrtle is a nice small tree.

^^ Good suggestion!! Happy in both sun AND heat!

Crabapple in full sun.......yes!! And no particular issues with the crape - they are no more messy or sappy than any other tree and a lot less than some.