Hugh,
I had a client sign up for the WHIP program...it was nothing but a pain in the ass for him. Nothing they had him do ever worked and he had to keep re-planting, etc...just not worth it IMHO.
Have you looked in to some form of Scenic Easement. I know Cali is not as good as VA when it comes to state tax credits etc...but you would get the Fed deduction... it might have some benefit...
Here is another program that might work:
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program | NRCS
Jim