Looking at the records on myHockeyRankings, last year the bears played the Sharks 03 AAA twice, losing once and tying once. They beat the Ducks, and there's no record (there at least) of them playing the Kings, who being ranked 4'th nationally would likely have murdered them. myHockeyRankings doesn't have all games of course, but it's usually pretty complete (apart from the occasional team that is rumored to actively delete or delay reporting games they don't like...)
You are what your record says you are. Despite the end of the season, the Bears were a GREAT team, and they sure seemed to be the best of the AA's in CA. Their star player was probably better than almost all the 02 AAA's. But they were almost all 03's and as a group didn't exactly stomp on the 03 AAA teams.
Just an opinion, but my kids have played AA and AAA in CA. AAA is a level above.