Nick Cannon -- Scoping Out New L.A. Man Cave

Nick Cannon is already back on the prowl -- searching for a bachelor pad where he can crash in L.A.

Our real estate sources say Nick is sniffing around Santa Monica and the Hollywood Hills for his new West Coast HQ. We're told his criteria are pretty simple -- fully furnished and rent to own.

As we first told you ... Nick's already dropping $11k/month on a sprawling New Jersey mansion he scooped up a few weeks ago.

As for the furnished part -- it's just a bachelor pad, and let's be honest ... he's done enough remodeling lately.