A good resource for you would be to go hang out at Dead Link Removed in San Francisco. They've got a huge building down under the ramps to the Oakland Bay Bridge. They have classes, rental darkrooms, and gallery space as well as bulletin boards with notices for all kinds of stuff like clubs, exhibits and gear for sale.
This facility is a real gem. If you are interested in silver printing at its finest, check out the current exhibition of my old friend Dick Garrod who is exhibiting with Richard Knepp. You will be teated to a feast for the eyes.