For fast action try chumming. I buy a 3# box of squid at Safeway
dice it, then refreeze it in empty yogurt containers with a loop of twine sticking out. Tie this to 30ft of heavy line and an empty plastic bottle when you get out there. Then dip it in the water to free the yogurt container. Throw the container in the TRASH (PLEASE don't litter). Tie the other end to your sand stake, and throw it in the water(the chum block and bottle, not the stake). One block will last about 30min to an hour. By then you should have plenty of perch in the area.

As for rigging up, try one of the pre-packed bait rigs(aka fishskins) with size 4 or 6 hooks tipped with either sand crabs or tiny pieces of squid and 1/2oz. sinker.

As for location, look for irregularities in the waters edge. A small but pronounced point or "bay" can be a magnet for perch.
Jettys like the one at Moss landing can be good. Me and a buddy fished the sand side of the south jetty for a great afternoon and evening including many perch, 1 undersized cabezone, a 42" Leopard shark, and a BIG Bat Ray.