The weather was IMC in Oregon. So... I could not complete a BFR in my ship. Decided to try scheduling at my hometown airfield, Torrance Airport (AKA Zamperini).
Chose South Bay Avation, been there 45 years in business! Definitely recommended for instruction and rentals. I have always admired their professional and easy going environment.
For studying I reviewed:
CFR 14 61.56 Flight Review
http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2061-98B.pdf
https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/media/flight_review.pdf
https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?cID=25
http://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/hotspots/hotspots_list/
Torrance and Hawthorn have FAA defined "HOT SPOTS"
Updated a document subdirectory "VFR Ops" in ForeFlight:

Studied airspace, freqs, NOTAMS, TAFs, METARSs, TFR, AIR/ SIGMETS, "Hotspots"etc...

We did a few landings at Hawthorn then went to the practice area over L.A. Harbor. I have not flown a Cessna 172 SP for a few years. It was a great performer. I wish they still had 40 degrees of flaps! Very hard to slow down with the light wing loading compared to an amphib!