John Coltaine

I'll second Curtis Stone as a recommendation, he's also located in BC.

Here's some links to a few of his interviews on the Permaculture Voices podcast. Additionally they're doing an entire year long podcast series called The Urban Farmer which is a week by week look at running an urban farm for a year - it just started towards the end of March and you can get it through the regular PV Podcast feed.

permaculture-voices-podcast-026-spin-farming-with-curtis-stone

profitable-urban-farming-a-realistic-view-with-farmer-curtis-stone

Luke Callahan was an urban farmer doing microgreens only and might be worth a listen:
Making-2000-a-week-growing-microgreens-with-luke-callahan-pvp087

I decided to check out this workshop as well, it'll be my first permaculture related course/workshop/anything.
Even with the added cost of the car rental and hotel I feel its worth it. The weekend timeline fits my work schedule well and the material covered looks like a great place to start learning.

I'll be driving through Ithaca very late Friday but will be staying west of the farm in the Burdett/Watkins Glen area during the course.

Bret,

There's a workshop at the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute coming up in early May that looks like it covers a lot of what you're after.
Water as a Resource in the Landscape - An Advanced Permaculture Training

I'm debating renting a car and making the 6hr drive down from Montreal, but it might be unrealistic for you to get to from California.