$27k is only comfortable because you've never had a job that pays salary before. $27k, in Cali, is nothing. Certainly not enough to be going and buying a house or condo. Stay home and save, go to school. As for car, definitely don't get new, and lower your budget if you really want to get a house in the next five years or so.

If you want to be most efficient, get some car that isn't expensive, but not reliable... so better than a beater, maybe like $5-7 can get you something to go to point a-b without breaking down every two miles. If you're dead set on getting a nicer ride, get a Certified Pre Owned (CPO). New cars lose something liek %20 right off the lot. CPO skips right over that mostly. You get a car that is gently used, under 40-50k miles depending on the dealer, and backed by a warranty that can be real extensive. The first route is better based on your position, but CPO isn ot bad either. Just don't go new.

Also, consider working full time through college. There really is no reason that you can't. Lots of people do it, you'll have extra money and you'll learn discipline as far as time and money management.