Oops. Looks like I was wrong. The VP9 is on the approved list, in four different variations. And the S&W M&P 2.0 is also on the list.I was going to recommend that you shoot an HK VP9 before making your choice. But I'm pretty sure that HK has not bothered getting any of their firearms on the California approved list.
My second recommendation would be a Walther PDP, which replaced the PPQ. I had a PPQ, and it was a very nice pistol. The PDP is supposed to be even nicer. I don't know if the PDP is on the California approved list either. But I'm pretty sure the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 is, and I heard a lot of good about them.
As I said earlier, I highly recommend you shoot a VP9. The VP9 has one of the best triggers you will get on a striker fire pistol. And it is simply a well made pistol all the way around. It is in a totally different class than any of the Glock offerings.