I was in a similar situation a little while ago. Here's how I handled it: Two weeks at the pacific tradewinds hostel. While there I found a 3 month room sublet

I was in a similar situation a little while ago. Here's how I handled it: Two weeks at the pacific tradewinds hostel. While there I found a 3 month room sublet in a house with other people in the crappy part of the Mission. From there, I found a 3 month studio sublet in Berkeley. From there, I found a permanent, large house sublet in a nice part of Oakland (Rockridge) with a roommate. I don't have bad credit, but none of these places asked me for a credit check. Basically, what I am saying is, you will have a way easier time once you are actually here on the West Coast, and I strongly recommend the East Bay (Berkeley/Oakland) as a place to start rather than SF proper - cheaper, and landlords seem more eager to let tenants in without running proper background checks.