I'm familiar with your area and just spent five minutes on Craigslist for rentals. In Whittier, La Habra, Costa Mesa and surrounding areas there are rooms for rent from $500/month and thereabouts. These are rooms to rent, meaning houses to share. Of course, you'd have to qualify financially and blend well with the other occupants' lifestyles, schedules and personalities.
That said, if your total income is $1000 per month, it's probably past time to look at a less costly state than CA. Without some sizeable retirement savings, a large income of SS and/or pension, outright owning a home, or significant family support, most seniors have been priced out of much of California.
This should be no surprise to you. Local & national news are chock full of stories of Californians who wind up homeless because they cannot afford escalating rents. Pat, you've long complained on this forum that your living situation with your daughter and family has not been emotionally good (plus I got the very strong sense that you were helping her financially rather than the other way around), and you've talked about separating households for your sanity and financial health.
A very short sequence of bad events could have you living in your car. A new landlord, an eviction to do building renovations (or some other reason, a change in your daughter's situation, or who knows-what-all, and you'll be (as we used to say) screwed, blued and tattooed.
p.s. How long ago did you file bankruptcy? If it's been a while and your finances have been clean since then, new landlords may not weigh the BK too heavily against you.