Don’t commute to a school as far away as CMA or VNY. I feel like people don’t understand LA traffic when they make recommendations like that. I’d try to stay near TOA, LGB, or HHR. I don’t personally know any of the schools at those airports, but there’s gotta be a decent one among the three. Clubs might be a viable option too.

You will be balancIng 4 different schedules… yours, the CFI, the airplane, and the weather. You need a CFI that’s available enough to complete your training in a timely fashion, as well as aircraft (ie the school) that are available when you need them. For the CFI, you want someone who can teach you, challenge you, and with whom you can communicate with ease. Recommendations are a good start, but talk with at least 4 or 5 CFIs before you pick one. Talk with them about your training goals and whether/how they can help you get there.

You might go to a meeting of your local 99s and meet a few other pilots and instructors; get their recommendations. Also, since you are 17, look into primary flight training scholarships from the 99s and the EAA (eaa.org). Your local chapters might have scholarships in addition to national.