Anchovie,

Welcome :) I wouldn't stress too much on rules, there are very few places in the ocean that I have ever heard of where float tubing is not allowed. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head would be areas like the reserve at La Jolla where no fishing at all is allowed at all. If you have an area in mind, just search it on google and you can probably find out all you need to know. Starting out in some bays or sheltered areas is always a good bet. From there you can look for areas in the surf with small waves and keep branching out. Ocean tubing is a blast because its so simple and there's a lot of great fishing opportunities to be had inshore.