Earlier this week, while traversing the LAX VFR Shore Line Transition,
I was kept above 5,000 feet despite initially requesting a lower
altitude (3,500'). One controller said that they had done a poor job
in getting the word out to the pilot community regarding a change they
have now adopted regarding the subject procedure.

He indicated that ATC will not approve transitions below 5,000' any
longer, however on a workload permitting basis, they will work VFR
flights as IFR flights on the transition (which is what I got).

On the return leg, the controller had me first climb from 4,500' to
5,500' then 6,500' and wanted to descend me once through the
transition to put me below Class B airspace. (I declined, preferring
the view at altitude; magnificent!)

The VFR Terminal Area chart only says "altitude assigned by ATC."

I have not yet been successful in locating web-based information on
the procedure change. Likely it has not yet been published. I don't
see a Letter To Airman: http://www.awp.faa.gov/lta/lta.cfm nor NOTAM:
http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/NTAP04SEP30/C's.htm#California