“(im going to usa this summer for sure)”
Are you an international applicant? How much money can your family pay each year for your education?
That changes everything. Your chances for admission to a “Top 10” are even lower than for a US applicant, and financial aid is harder to find.
Take the gap year. Think carefully about your reasons for studying in the US, for thinking that you want to study in California, and options in your own country. The gap year will give you time to sort through all of those things, and help you come up with a solid application list.