i believe the law was amended a few years back. before, a Chief of Police or Sheriff could issue a CCW to anyone who lived in the county. meaning, a Chief could issue to any citizen who lived in the county the city was located in. that means, a small town Chief could issue to a citizen who resided in the big city next to his, so long as they were both in the same county.
now, you'd have to go to the CLEO of the city or county you reside in. say you live in the city of Irvine. you can go to either the Chief of Irvine PD or the Sheriff of Orange County.
i am a former LEO from CA (northern). my recollection is that Orange Co. S/O issuing but you have to take some class their range officers put on and pay their fees (including the cost of the class). i have heard some of the inland empire counties are issuing, but nothing in CA is "Shall Issue."
also CA makes you put up to 3 firearms on the CCW and they are serial number specific.