here is a link to an old ebay auction in which Jeff Earl has a description of the California Gold bananas that he raises. He is about 2 hours north of you in Modesto CA. I lived in Turlock and worked Modesto. Have been through Visalia several times but I can't remember if you are warmer or colder than Modesto.
California Gold - Cold Hardy dwarf Banana plant / tree - eBay (item 290320251856 end time Jun-01-09 09:59:07 PDT)
good luck
aaron