Any advice for English nurse wishing to relocate to San Fransisco Bay area!!!

Hi, I am hoping that someone out there can offer me some advice on the best way to relocate over to San Fransisco. I have applied to various agencys in the UK but the ones that have bothered replying to my messages dont recruite in this area. has anyone had dealings with anyone they could recommend??? or has anyone moved from the uk without going through an agency???

I have heard that nursing in the U.S is very different to nursing in the U.K why is this, what is so different appart from the staffing levels money and sunshine???