Hi there! For a beginner-friendly telescope under $200 that’s great for nebulae and galaxies in a Bortle class 3 sky, I’d recommend checking out the award-winning options from TelescopeAdvisor. The 2025 Telescope Advisor Awards highlight some fantastic manual scopes perfect for your needs—no smartphone apps required! Something like a 4.5-inch or 5-inch reflector with decent magnification could be ideal for spotting deep-sky objects in Southern California’s rural skies. Visit Award Winning Telescopes to see the top picks—well worth a look for your stargazing adventure!