I'd like to get some nice big pots out there. Any that will bloom in late Fall? Or what can I plant now for Spring?

Star thistle is fire resistant....

Seriously, in So Cal, you may want to plant Bougainvillea - it's a vine, so you will need a trellis or something else for it to climb. The downside to it is that is does have some thorns. But the flowers are gorgeous, it blooms a long time, and there are a ton of different colors to choose from...