I beleive there are many more conservatives in California than you realize. For the record, the Republican party leadership in the state couldn't be more helpful to the democrats if they were on their payroll. The rank and file have their acts together pretty well, but whenever they attempt to install new leadership, the national party wonks get involved and block it.
Ask any long term California Republican who has cared enough to become involved in politics at all, and they'll tell you much the same thing.
All the major propositions and most of our better candidates receive little or no support from the state leadership. You have to drag them kicking and screaming along with you if you want to win.
Oh man, doesn't that pretty much sum them up!