I think in the Bay Area we only have three species with bright red apothecia: C. macillenta, C. umbricola, and C. bellidiflora. The first two are supposed to have mostly sorediate podetia, while C. bellidiflora has abundant squamules on the podetia, so I think it's that. Based on @tom_carlberg's comments at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1719782, I think the first two probably can't be distinguished without an barrage of chem tests. To my knowledge, Cladonia cristatella is an eastern species that hasn't been found in CA.
Leslie Flint
2017-11-00
Sat Nov 18 2017 11:40:17 GMT-0800 (PST)
United States of America, California, Portola Redwoods State Park, San Mateo County, US-CA, US