Bill,
This is VERY typical. It's probably the norm for most people. The short answer is: get some instruction. An hour or two with a good casting instructor will save you YEARS of frustration. There is no shortage of fly fishermen in California. Do a Google search and find a good fly shop near you. You'll be glad you did.
As a second option, I'd suggest a casting video. There are lots of good ones on the market. Here are some names to look for: Mel Krieger, Joan Wulff, Lefty Kreh, Tom White, George Roberts, Chico Fernandez and Doug Swisher.
The specific problem you mention is just a timing issue. It's not the rod. Good luck and feel free to PM me.