California has done just fine at NXN.  In 2006 CA had 3 teams in the top 10.  Last year one of the at large teams, Thousand Oaks, finished 10th.  I think you will see them represent CA well again this year.  I don't see how taking the largest state in the country, in which XC is huge, and saying they can't have an at-large bid makes sense. 

just annouced cali sending four teams on boys side .

From what I've been told it has to do with the CIF rule system that doesn't allow something or another. Whatever it is it makes it so they can't have an NXN regional there.