check out
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers in Davis (university town) near Sacramento and close to San Francisco.
Very nice area to fly around. You have Lake Berryessa in Napa Valley and Sacramento Intl close by.
Its a while ago I did my FAA PPL there (1997) but I went there few more times to fly ME while visiting my uncle who was living in Davis and he also did some flight training with them.
The staff was very helpful and nice and they made my stay very pleasant. I think all the instructors at that time are not there anymore but just give them a call and check it out. Having said that, my PPL instructor that time ( James N) is/was still one of my favorite instructors I had throughout my flying career!
Hope you will find what you are looking for and just enjoy your time over there!
Greets Andi