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That is a broad question so my answer will be somewhat broad. Learning to hunt well is a long process but extremely rewarding. Most new hunters I've talked to and tried to help, end up stopping because it is difficult. You often come home empty handed especially in the beginning. You are very lucky to have an uncle to help. So here's my advice:

1. Get this book and read it: The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 1: Big Game https://www.amazon.com/dp/081299406X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3M4HzbCD358PY
   
   This as well as his following volumes are excellent starting points. Remember that you not only need to know how to find and shoot an animal, you need to know basic butchering to gut, remove meat, and pack it out which can be as challenging as anything else you do while hunting.
   
   
2. If you haven't already, find hunting shows to watch. I think Meateater is one of the best, you will find it on Netflix as well. I think his advice and philosophy on hunting is solid. But there are also a ton of other high quality shows. Solo hunter is great and he's on YouTube. So is Jim Shocky, amount others.
   
   
3. Get good equipment. A gun is just a start. I elk hunt Idaho every year and have experienced all kinds of weather and high mountain backcountry. You'll want high quality boots, layers for hot or cold wet weather, a good backpack that you could haul 100lbs of meat on at 3 am in the rain. I learned this the hard way last year hauling out 100lbs of meat with a mediocre pack in the middle of the night and it was a horrible experience. A good hunting knife, headlamp, etc are all important as well. Steve has a great review of what to have in his book.
   
   
4. Get in shape. Especially with elk hunting, you will typically cover a lot of area and hike a lot of elevation at higher altitudes than you are used to in California. If you are a drag on everyone and unprepared you might not get invited again. I was at 9000 ft last year going for Mule deer in Idaho and the altitude was tough, but I was in shape so I was able to keep up. Be ready for that, take it seriously.
   
   
5. Learn everything you can about the animals you hunt.
   
   
6. Be persistent. A hear people complain all the time about how there aren't a lot of great hunting areas in California. This is complete bull. There is a ton of public land and spots, but people take years finding them. Don't expect people to text you their best spot on a Google map. You're going to have to find them yourself or with friends, but I promise they are there. For all animals, deer, pig, turkey, duck,geese etc. if you want it easy don't waste your time, find another hobby.
   
   
7. Get to know other hunters. Other hunters are generally helpful and especially locals in an area can be helpful (not always). This is a way to get access to private land as well. Sometimes a hunter might want someone to come a long with them to private land for the help. The private hunting spots I have took years of me just getting to know people.
   
   
8. This should go unsaid but, know and follow the state laws. I think hunters have increasingly become conservationists and understand the importance of wildlife management. Know the regulations and follow them, it's good for the sport and will help ensure future generations will be able to hunt. We need the general public to be on our side.
   
   That's the best advice I can give for a beginner. As you gain experience there is so much more to learn.

pretty much said perfect.
Get a shotgun, and start with rabbit.

I would add shoot skeet and sporting clays to get proficient with the shotgun.
Watch Steve Rinella on Netflix and read this book https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Hunting-Butchering-Cooking/dp/0812987055

Sometimes its hard to figure out where you can hunt. ArcGIS online is probably the best for online maps you can play with the base layer. Road maps, topo maps, satalite. I like to locate places with the ArcGIS then look at them with google earth. https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?useExisting=1

The open spaces in CA are a big mix of BLM, national forest, state and national park and military. This is a pretty decent site http://publiclands.org/Get-Books-and-Maps.php?plicstate=CA&site_id=6390 The Yellow is all BLM. MAke sure the Land Status is checked on the bottom right, on the top menu on the left click Activities and sort by Hunting. Once you find an area you think looks good then you can try to find a more detailed map and find were you can actually hunt.

I cant tell you where to hunt because I have not learned that myself.

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The Meateater guides to "hunting, butchering and cooking wild game" are great for learning how to chop one up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/081299406X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_FmoyCb34ESAMT

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Meateater also has videos on how to butcher a deer in the field, a pig is basically the exact same process.

https://youtu.be/vJtMpbJUXzE

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Once you have it gutted and skinned, this book is nice for breaking down pig.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612121829/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0