I've found many resources on the American Sewing Guild (www.asg.org) website.You can do a local chapter search. Looks like there is a chapter in San Diego (www.sandiegoasg.org)

The local Dallas chapter website has pointed me to people, shops, newsletters, meetings and even teachers who give pubilc & private lessons.

Hope this helps.

Oh, and the ladies at the Church tip is a great one. Don't forget college "continuing education" departments, and even fine arts/decorative arts institutes. My local fabric store keeps a list of private instructors. Give them a call and ask. They know people who can help.