In some areas of California, IFR is the only way to go because Flight
Following is not very reliable. When getting Flight Following you can
(and often do) get dropped with a simple (squawk VFR, services
terminated). I've had ATC try this twice with me while IFR, but I was
able to refuse because I was IFR. At the mid altitudes, about 60% of
the time L.A. center is not accepting flight following hand offs.

-Robert