Beginner

Would like to start fishing asap ! Been through countless beginner fishing post but haven’t came to a conclusion. Im a buy once cry once person but I also am a beginner so I dont wanna spend 1k right out the bat lol. I would like to be sub $500? I’ve seen the UGLY STIK GX2 is a good beginner rod? I was thinking the Diawa bg 4000 paired with it. I am in SoCal so I would like an all Arounder type of rod. Please any knowledge on beginner setups is appreciated!