See what the Courts say about mediation as an alternative to litigation:

California Courts: ADR types & Benefits
http://www.courts.ca.gov/3074.htm

Alameda County ADR Program
https://apps2.alameda.courts.ca.gov/adr/

Contra Costa County ADR
http://www.cc-courts.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1781