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The loop we did is marked on your topo as the navy blue line to "Jct 1100", then the purple line up the ridge to Four Corners, then the green line back to Bluewater and then San Mateo Creek. We didn't go any further southwest down San Mateo Creek than the junction with Bluewater Creek, so I can't tell you about campsites there. I have heard (from Jerry Schad's guide) that there are some good places to camp near "Picnic Rock" a couple miles down the creek from the Bluewater junction. I don't know any more specifics than that.

Some of Jerry Schad's hike guides were published in the San Diego Reader, so you can find them for free on the web but I highly recommend the books for SD and Orange county, they are fantastic.

All the creeks were flowing great; there was tons of water. Deep enough to swim in some places. That was a month ago, so it's wise to check with the rangers first just to be safe, but I bet there will be plenty of water in the creeks. The first water we saw after we got on the ridge was where the green line crosses the marked creek about 1.5 miles SSW of Four Corners (33.5745, -117.4429). That was flowing pretty well but kind of hard to access in places. I didn't look too hard for the springs in Oak Flats, since we were heading right back down to the creeks, so I can't tell you if there is water up there or not.

EDIT: Oh crap Hikin' Jim! Your blog post was one of the big reasons why I decided to do this trip! You probably already know 90% of what I just told you, sorry for being pedantic.

I had a great trip last may in the San Bernardino forest near Big Bear along the PCT. I parked at the junction of Holcomb Creek and Coxey Road (3N14). You then hike about 7-8 miles North on the PCT towards Holcomb Creek. We made camp there and then continued north to Deep Creek. There is a really cool steel bridge that crosses this creek.

The trail is exposed past Holcomb, so be cautious with heat. We also saw a few rattlesnakes so watch out for those guys as well. The area was nice and we met a lot of solo backpackers.

There were some fires in this area over the last year. I have no idea what survived and what didn't so i would do a lot of research before considering this hike.

I used this book as a reference: San Bernardino Mountain Trails

The best place to check out local hiking books is your closest REI.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Moon Guides: Camping CA, Hiking CA
These are the most general as they cover the whole state.

Robert Stone: Day Hikes Around Los Angeles
This is just one of many hiking books he has in CA.

Schad Afoot and Afield: Los Angeles County

Schad: Afoot and Afield: Orange County

Harris: Afoot and Afield: Inland Empire

Shad/Turner: Afoot and Afield: San Diego County

Casey Schreiner: Day Hiking Los Angeles
Casey is the new kid on the block. He runs the Modern Hiker blog

Robinson/Christiansen: Trails of the Angeles

Robinson/Harris: San Bernardino Mountain Trails

Since you are in Arcadia you should visit the Theodore Payne Foundation. They are a
CA native plant nursery. They have a short hike on their property. They should be able to hook you up with some good hikes in the area, and a hiking club.

This is pretty awesome: https://www.amazon.com/San-Gabriels-Mountain-Country-Soledad/dp/0961542152

There are good answers already, mainly the use of climbing/rope skills and/or snow/ice skills is the difference.

The full range of mountaineering skills is covered in this book:
Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills

this book is pretty delightful:

http://www.amazon.com/Swimming-Holes-California-Trips-Splash/dp/0965768643

For "in the field" identification, nothing beats actual written field guides. I really like the National Audubon guides. They have a general CA field guide that covers the most common species, or they have more comprehensive guides for specific animal kingdoms.

you're welcome. If you want to pick up more I always suggest people read either of these books before dropping serious cash, they're both quick reads with funny drawings so an easy to digest format. You don't need either if you're just doing day hikes, but if you get into the bigger equipment and want to do overnights I recommend em.

Don't do what I did and buy an 85L pack that weighs 8-9lb by itself, ugh.

Ultralight backpacking tips

Lighten up

There is a gargantuan amount of back country in Los Padres.

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https://hikelospadres.com and

Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara and Ventura

are good starting points.

Since onion valley was brought up:

https://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-Peaks-Passes-Trails/dp/0898869714