As far as High Tech software engineering type jobs,
SD is actually not bad especially compared to L.A.
L.A. is a waste land for high tech jobs these days, (most were moved back to San Jose during the tech crash of the early 2000’s).
OC is also not bad compared to L.A. either and is probably about the same commute from SD as it is living in L.A. .
In L.A. Generally you start off working 15 minutes from your work , then after 5-10 years you’re working 40-50 miles away when you next job comes up. (not like San Jose where everything is in one general area).
Everything is far away from everything else in L.A. it seems.

I should say from North SD (Carlsbad etc..) OC is not too bad a commute.
Probably comparable time wise as most L.A. commutes.