If you aren't finding jobs in your subject area, your two main options are: (1) expand the geographic area of your job search (which might mean moving or at least getting an apartment closer to work during the week), or (2) expand the subject areas you are qualified to teach.
Since the first choice is NOT an option for you, your focus should be on increasing the subject areas you are qualified to teach. You've gotten a lot of good advice on this so far. Don't just focus on the areas you current license will cover (although that is the best place to start), but also consider other subject areas you could become qualified in.
I'm not sure how the license requirements work in CA, but I know from experience in my state that, once you are licensed in one area, all that is needed to be licensed in another area is passing the Praxis II tests for that subject area. My initial license is in Middle School Math. I've added Middle School Science by taking the Praxis II and am currently working on adding High School Math as well. After that, I plan to work on Social Studies for both Middle and High School. I also qualify for High School Business Education based on my undergrad degree.
I understand the cost issue. I'm not sure how much the tests cost in CA, but I've been able to take the Praxis tests on a fairly regular basis working primarily as a sub. The first thing I did was investigate how much it costs to take the Praxis II tests. What I discovered was this: ETS (the company that produces the various Praxis tests) follows a specific schedule. Every August begins a new "testing year", which is important. The FIRST test you take within the new testing year has a one-time fee of $45 added to the cost of the test, which is typically $80-90. So the FIRST Praxis test after August will cost around $125. However, after that first test, you can take as many other tests as you like during the same "year" without the administrative fee. All you pay is the actual cost of the test. Testing dates are usually in September, November, January, March, April, June and July. The reason for the two month delay is that it takes 3-4 weeks to get your results from a paper test, so if you take the test in September, you don't get the results until October, which gives you just enough time to re-register for the test in November if you didn't pass the first time.
They also have two testing sessions on each testing date. I've known several people (including myself) who have taken two tests on the same day (again, the administrative fee would only apply to the first test).
Now whether CA has a similar schedule, I can't say, but that is something to keep in mind when looking at other certifications. Anything you can do to reduce the costs of additional certifications will help.
