Best and/or worst agencies in the Bay Area?

[samertime]

I am considering lateraling to an agency in the bay area from southern california. For anyone currently working in the bay, can you please let me know where I should go, or places I need to stay away from. Obviously every PD says they are the best, but only guys working the beat would know. I'm not talking about PDs that pay the most, but the best to work for taking all into consideration, i.e. not too small, not too big, schedule, vacation days, policy...etc.

Thanks!

P.S. I know that practically all departments up there are not hiring, but I would like to know the consensus from the beat guys.

[ateamer]

San Jose PD and Santa Clara PD. Both are excellent agencies. SJPD is quite a big bigger (around 1300 sworn) and has dozens of assignments. Santa Clara PD is one of the highest paid on the West Coast, if not #1 ($10,493/month with longevity pay, according to their website). Several of my former coworkers have gone to both of those agencies, and none have any complaints. They are very happy over there.

[0341]

Sunnyvale PD is one to consider. Unlike most other departments, the city of Sunnyvale pays the employee portion of the CalPERS retirement contribution (full 9%)! Sunnyvale officers are actually public safety officers (trained in fire/first aid), so they can go through the fire fighting training and make even more money. The last time I looked online they were hiring laterals.