Kobe wasn’t flying but probably dictated the routing. 3 miles west after takeoff they would have been CAVU and been able to see their destination. Course that would have meant flying over water.
That day there was a heavy marine layer over the LA basin. It's doubtful whether the ocean area west of LAX was clear and sunny as the marine layer usually extends several miles out to sea.
The ceiling at SNA was 1,300'
LAPD grounded their choppers that day because of low visibility and low ceiling. Any time they can't see 2 miles or the ceiling is 800' or lower, they ground the choppers.
Bryant's flight crashed for two reasons: Scud-running and Get-There-Itis.