The bright "star" you observe in the sky towards the east in the early morning hours in Los Angeles is likely not a star but the planet Venus. Venus is often referred to as the "morning star" or "evening star" because it is one of the brightest objects in the sky and can be easily visible during those times.
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and is the closest planet to Earth. It is known for its highly reflective atmosphere, which causes it to appear very bright in the sky. Venus is also the third-brightest natural object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon.
The appearance of Venus can vary depending on its position in its orbit around the Sun. Sometimes it appears as a morning object in the eastern sky before sunrise, and at other times it is visible as an evening object in the western sky after sunset. In the early morning hours around 4-5 am, Venus can often be seen shining brightly towards the east.
To confirm if the bright object you see is indeed Venus, you can use smartphone apps or online tools that provide real-time information about celestial objects and their positions in the sky. These tools can help you identify planets and other celestial bodies visible from your specific location and time.