Hello from San Diego

Welcome to the forum.
I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics

You would be hard pressed to find anyone on this forum that would dissuade you from installing a SaltWater Chlorine Generator. Most of us with them would not have a pool without one.
 
I got my SWG at the tail end of the season last year. If you can budget it in, do it! If not, buying liquid chlorine regularly is also an option.

If you decide to move forward with TFP also take a look at this:
Test Kits Compared