TBH, I'd go play at the california grand. Just get a hotel near there for 3 days and spend 3 days grinding the 2/2/3 NL there. Here is my 2/2/3 hand of the week to show you what's standard.
New player UTG doesnt wait for the button to pass and raises it to 35 straight with Q9o. 3 callers. 140 in the pot and I wake up in the BB with KK. Jackpot. I ship all in for 385. UTG Calls off his last 165 with Q9 and another player who has me covered calls in MP2.
The downside? Board ran out Q975A...
The upside? I won the side pot and was back to 370 for the next hand.
The east bay NL action is SOOOO loose, its unreal. $500 is 2.5 buyins, and if you play a low style variance ABC poker early on, you'll build that bankroll with little to no problem.