Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

If the tenant is unable to pay the rent on time, serve a three-day notice and then an unlawful detainer eviction.

There is nothing about the tenant's conduct that causes a change in the typical eviction proceeding. If you have grounds for a three-day notice, then proceed that way. Otherwise, terminate the lease pursuant to the lease's terms (usually a thirty-day notice), and proceed with an unlawful detainer action if the tenant does not move.