I do believe the answer to the first two questions is yes. Not 100% sure but pretty darn sure.
I am sure there are on line resources for finding out more about the auctions but off hand I do not know of them. I know some of the basics about them but I don’t know more then I know.
Google San Diego County auctions or something like that, foreclosure auctions, and such and I am sure something will come up. I bet other posters here know alot about it.