The scenario would work better if there are two distinct factions equally split in this nation, like the conservatives vs. the liberals. If a good majority of the population decides that it's time to overthrow the conservative government, then you might have something.
I could see small pockets of armed resistence and large groups of non-violent protestors if the government were to do something controversial enought to spark enough hatred to actually force a revolution.
However, once realizing that the minority of religious-zealots and conservatives of this country actually own weapons and are willing to fight to keep the government in power, they rebels will be mowed down in a heart beat.
Oh, So. California would probably cease to exist after the govnt authorizes a couple of "precision" nuclear strikes.