sftenantrights.com

San Francisco Tenants' Union: 

http://www.sftu.org

San Francisco Rent Board
25 Van Ness Ave., Ste. 320 
San Francisco, CA 94102-6033 
(415) 252-4600 
(415) 252-4602 (counseling) 
(415) 252-4699 (fax)
This site contains the full text of the San Francisco
Rent Ordinance and news on recent changes. A very useful resource.
Small Claims and Other Courts Self Help
Information on filing lawsuits yourself and doing legal research etc.
California State Laws
Includes Civil Codes and Code of Civil Procedure. Here's where you can get copies of security deposit laws, etc.
San Francisco City Codes
All the local laws—Planning Code, Subdivision Code, Administrative Code, etc. Note that the Rent Control law and regulations can be accessed via the Rent Board site (above).
San Francisco City Web Site
To access all city departments, including Department of Building Inspection, Planning Department, Board of Permit Appeals, Board of Supervisors, Mayor et al
Property Searches
Find Out Landlord's Address
This link to the Treasurer's office lets you see where tax bills are mailed. For some reason, the city has stopped listing the name of the person receiving the tax bill (probably to help landlords hide from their tennats). Hit the Begin button and then enter the address etc.
Building Permits & Housing Code Complaints
Dept. of Building Inspection Information
This link will give you the DBI records on a property, including any building permits and records of violations.
FTC Landlord Credit Reports
Requirements for landlord listings of tenant evictions, credit data on tenant credit reports
Parkmerced Residents Organization
For tenants at Parkmerced
Nolo Press
Excellent selection of self-help law publications, such as California Tenants Rights, Using Small Claims Court, Legal Research,
National Housing Law Project
Good resource for federal housing law: Section 8, fair housing, etc

Resources Outside of San Francisco:

Oakland
http://www.justcauseoakland.org
Oakland Tenants Union
4043 Piedmont Avenue #227
Oakland, CA  94611
Voice     (510) 704-5276.

Berkeley
Berkeley Rent Board

http://www.knisbacherlaw.com

http://www.knisbacherlaw.com

415-522-5200