I would not trust LASD opinion. They are not specialized in missing person searches. They are only specialized in criminal investigations. I am a native Californian. I would only trust the opinion of specialized well known S&R teams with the best search dogs and equipment available. It's been almost 2 weeks he should have been in Laguna by now. It's not that far I have made this drive back and forth to Northern Ca to OC many times. Bryce with his red hair, fair skin, obviously not a gang-banger would have gotten a ride there fairly quickly.
If he had a head injury with amnesia without his wallet in pocket wouldn't the first place you would hitch a ride to would be the Police Station to report your missing wallet and to find out where you are? It was also 105 degrees that whole week.