Yes, I see the resemblance to the Whisk Fern. My first thought was it might have been a pencil cactus the one with red tips because I see a fair amount of people planting those in Southern Calif. Thanks again.

That's Euphorbia tirucalli that you describe. The pictured plant is not that.

Seems odd to find whisk fern appearing spontaneously in drought and heat oppressed SoCal........

But I have no idea what else it could be.

Its included here http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Ferns/index.htm Ferns of Orange County, so it's apparently found in S California

Can Rhipsalis be ruled out from the pics?

I think so, yes.

OK, I don't feel like I can see it closely enough to decide.

Rhipsalis would have jointed cylindrical stems and this plant doesn't.

OK. I can't see it that well. I have some Rhipsalis that looks just like this at this distance. I think I have about 7 different kinds.

I can see it very clearly on my iPad. And my extreme myopia has its advantages.

Good attitude! Counting sunglasses, I have 3 pairs that I'm constantly changing through the day, but none help much with pics on this laptop.

Yes. I only need reading glasses if I’m wearing my contacts. Unglazed my comfortable focal distance is about 6 inches.