Welcome Fidget!
I'm also from the SF Bay Area. There are a few local breeders you can contact before the show if you want to see snakes sooner.
I've purchased from both shows and online breeders.
Shows are exciting because there are so many things to look at. You can see the animal in person and talk directly to the breeders. Show prices also tend to be cheaper than normal online/pet store prices.
Online breeders have more variety to choose from. Looking at a picture certainly is different from looking at a snake in person. But some shows don't have what you're looking for so the internet is a great resource to find a great snake.
I would definitely look at both options.
For online reptile classifieds, try http://market.kingsnake.com/ or http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/
Many good breeders post there, including the big shot and local ones. But be sure the research the breeder first before purchasing.
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