Need focal tree for front garden

going native

Hi, This is my first post. I am living in Los Angeles, CA and we bought our house just about a year ago. The previous owners had a very large tree that got sick and died and had to be removed before we got here. SO we have no shade at all. I am about to rip out the grass in the front yard and create a native garden instead. I am thinking either 3 birch trees closer to the house and a large tree further towards the sidewalk in front, or maybe I will just plant the larger tree in front and have a few other smaller trees around the garden. For the big tree I am thinking of either a London Plane Tree or a Chinese Drake Elm (not native, I know) and would love to hear what anyone thinks. I am open to all ideas. I would like it to be a pest-resistant and fast growing shade tree. Our front yard faces west and slightly south.
Thanks!

The Tree Whisperer

look at tyhe Golden Penda Xanthostemon chrysanthus