It is sad because I could really see a store in Orange County selling espresso machines... maybe in Fashion Island in Newport Beach or maybe South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, but it just doesn't exist (that I know of).

Hell, I feel lucky if I can find a coffee bar that can pull a decent espresso near me, let alone a place that will let me try out the equipment before I buy. The Lever Espresso Machine meet-up that happened at Barefoot was a good chance to try out different machines, maybe you can find a local member that help you with a machine your interested in.