I used WLP001 (white labs California ale yeast) without a starter, which according to what I have read is not enough yeast. I didn't even shake the vial before adding it to the fermenter as it says I am supposed to do.
I pretty much did everything wrong on this brew and it still turned out well. I guess that's why they are always saying on here, Relax, Don't Worry, Have A Home Brew.
I did have hop material floating on the top of my fermenter at bottling time. In order to strain that out without aerating the wort, used a technique I found on here. I lined the bottling bucket with a 24"x24" nylon mesh bag and then racked into the bucket. That kept all the hops and trub inside the bucket and out of my beer.
If you are coming to the west coast, drink some Pliny the Elder when you are here.