Should I Apply to Schools I can't Afford?

You are putting the cart before the horse. Most premed wannabes never even apply to medical school.

And of those who apply, to medical school, a high %age do not get accepted anywhere.

@WayOutWestMom can provide the statistics especially in CA.

Having said all that, minimal debt isn’t a bad thing for most students for their undergrad degrees. In addition a school with lots of options in case you change your mind isn’t a bad idea.