[Iwagoshi]

SF is the hub to photographers in Marin/Humboldt County, the Yosemite/Sierra, and the Carmel-Monterey. Historically the center of the hub was SF Art Institute, where Minor White and Ansel Adams setup the Photographic Department.
A new local resource I found is Photo Central in Hayward, on the East-side of the Bay, where our own Vaughn teaches a workshop in Alternative Processes.

For supplies in the SF Bay Area may I suggest this thread.

Comparing ME to SF: Besides the climate, the food (sans lobster) is also better.

Terry