It's not nearly as bad if you're willing to be open and try non-conventional ways of meeting people, e.g. online. Sites like OKCupid have many women who are either intellectually inclined themselves (i.e. "nerdy") or are looking to meet a guy who is; this way, you are much more likely to find someone who appreciates and likes you for who are you than at a sports bar or a night club (whether in Bay Area, or elsewhere).
Given the tech-savviness of the Bay Area, I actually think how well OKCupid works out here almost makes up for the fact that it seems to be harder to meet girls in the real world here than anywhere else. Given, you won't always "spark" with someone you meet online, but if you do, at least it means you probably get along with them on a deeper level than just "you're at the bar and look cute."