im in ur area as well and 4.99 was about the best ive found. but like someone said, ordering online might be good. just remember there will probably be shipping charges so u would have to look into that
There are a couple sellers on ebay that sell assorted lots of malaysian driftwood, as well as foster & smith. They grade them according to size, and you kinda just take what they send you. This works out pretty well if you're not picky about the individual pieces. The flat-rate shipping at F&S makes theirs a better bargain IMO, as the stuff is pretty heavy.
When we go with my wife's family to sea ranch I just take some from Driftwood beach. Since your in San Diego I'd see if you can find any local beachs where drift wood piles up on to the beach and have all you want.
I'm shopping for my 125. I've got some fish that need hiding places. But i hate rocks.
And i dont want to wait to sink the wood in a container so i want it heavy enough.