Moving back to the Bay

Since you have experience and want to work med/surg, it's not entirely hopeless. If you are willing to work night or evening shift, you will have a better chance of landing a job. Most Bay Area RN positions are part time, but you can make over 100K/yr working a .8, and most hospital systems offer full benefits for RNs working at least a .6.

You will probably have no success dealing with any HR departments. I can't think of a single nurse who was hired at my hospital in the last 3 years by going through the "proper channels.". Contact everyone you know in the Bay Area who might have some connection with a hospital. The idea is to get your resume into the hands of someone who can CREATE a position for you (not advertised to the public), which you can then apply for (praying that no qualified internal applicant wants it).

Another good option is to sign on with a travel nursing agency and take assignments in the Bay Area. Nearly all of my unit's newer hires have been travelers who stayed on as permanent hires after their contracts ended. Again, management liked a few of them enough to create the positions for which those nurses could apply.

If you went to nursing school here, your old classmates will be your best networking option. Whatever you do, don't move back here unless you already have a job lined up; you have no idea how long your employment search will take, and you already know how expensive it is to live here.

Good luck.