Judges are usually disinclined to use name changes to short cut parental rights or adoption. There's no way around this, the father will have to be served. You will have to go to court with a compelling demonstration that this change is in the best interest of the CHILD. The father is well within his rights to object. Just becasuet he father is absent, abusive, or whatever isn't itself a compelling argument.
What it sounds like what you really want is a termination of parental rights. That's a different legal action.
You should most likely consult a family law attorney.
Anyhow here's the info on the minor name change: http://www.courts.ca.gov/1052.htm

