You could rig up some shade if you really want to. But there are so many plants to choose from that appreciate that kind of hot sun situation you offer that you don't really have to. Remember that any plant can be grown in a container if you start small and attend to its needs properly as it grows.

1) Visit a good local garden center and see what they offer for full sun and drought tolerance. These types of plants will thrive under your growing conditions. Lots of very attractive plants from the southern hemisphere will be included in this selection - the grevilleas, coprosma, hebes, callistemons, anigozanthus, etc. And lots of southwest native plants - salvias, agastache, many of the sedums and succulents, etc. And anything with a Mediterranean origin - dwarf olives, euphorbia, cistus, figs, citrus, leucospermum, lavender, rosemary, germander.

Also most ornamental grasses are well suited to containers and thrive in sun, heat and not much water. As will the vast majority of sedums, succulents and cacti. And don't forget the many CA native plants that thrive in this kind of environment - ceanothus, carpenteria, manzanita, toyon.

You can also grow vegetables and a huge assortment of flowering annuals but these are not necesarily very drought tolerant. While they appreciate the sun and heat and even require it, they are much thirstier plants than the previous suggestions and will need more attention to watering.

All of these plants will offer both interesting foliage colors and textures as well as flowers and even fruit. Pick some large growing plants - container gardening is a naturally dwarfing growing process - as well smaller shrubs, perennials, grasses and ground covers. You can have a full and lush looking year round container garden and never have to plant anything in the ground!

2) Invest in some generously sized containers. Larger containers that hold more soil don't heat up as much as do smaller ones. They also don't require watering as frequently. And you can group several smaller plants together in a larger container to create a composition - a mini landscape!!

I have a big collection of large glazed ceramic pots I've gathered over the years. They insulate better than plastic nursery pots or HD cheapos, don't lose moisture as fast as terra cotta and they are far more attractive. Plus they come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and colors. I also use some resin containers and they are now available in better finishes and colors and in very contemporary shapes and styles. Their big advantage over the ceramic ones is that they are much lighter weight, so more easily moved. But the best ones are equally as expensive.

I think selecting and grouping containers together so they compliment each other in size and coloring is as important as selecting the plants to go in them. Make them an important element of your container garden collection.