LA is very strict as well. Maybe not as bad as NYC, but it's pretty bad.
The reason NY is so bad in giving tickets to the extent that it's just plain evil is (mostly at least ) because they are strapped for cash. I think CA is even worse off then NYS which made me think they'd do the same thing.
Before I bought a car here in Brooklyn, I was told by friends that I can expect to pay about $600 a year in tickets on average. It's just something you have to factor in when you calculate if you can afford the other car expenses like gas and insurance (Brooklyn insurance..).
Lately they've gotten even worse with tickets. Today you can get towed for parking too close to a pump, and that means shelling out $200-300++ for the tow fee and fine, and spending a half a day waiting at the tow pound until those evil city employees move you through the process (they try going as slow as possible, it's better for their job security). And don't try to mint the fine, there is a big sign NO COINS. When I was there a half a year ago or so, the people behind me had their car towed because they parked too close to a pump and they were trying to figure out if they'll make it to the airport to get back home in time. I doubt they ever made their flight.