Go to find local pros tab at the top of the houzz page and enter your location. There are lots of folks in SF area. I would be curious why the architect didn't recommend someone - they generally do.

Have you contacted Bill Fry Construction? They're in Cupertino but according to their Houzz page they service the entire Bay Area and are frequent contributors on Houzz: http://www.houzz.com/pro/billfry/bill-fry-construction-wm-h-fry-const-co

Thanks for your comments. Some answers:
1. Yes,I did contact Bill Fry (and I of course searched the listings in Houzz first before posting my query - personal experience and recommendations are always much more helpful to me than purchased advertisements and I am very good at sussing out purchased recommendations from those genuinely offered). Bill, by the way, does not take jobs in this part of the east SF Bay apparently (thus already we see that the info for him there is not actually correct given he only serves certain parts of the SF Bay area). Yes, of course I did ask him for a recommendation.. which he did give me however they were not taking any new projects.

2. I am looking for estimates to use in qualifying that which the architect themselves provided. I would never do any major renovation without getting at least 2 and ideally 3 estimates first (not unlike insurers do and not unlike always getting a 2nd opinion before undergoing to major surgery). In my case, the architect themselves have proposed serving as the general contractor. Without several estimates from licensed general contractors who are builders, I have no reasonable way to determine what is most cost effective and appropriate for my job.

Lisa,

Did you finally find someone to work with? I am building a house on the peninsula and I, too is seeking for a good contractor right now.

Hi there....We are 21st Century Home Improvement and it would be our pleasure to chat with you. We are on Houzz and have worked throughout the Bay area for nearly 30 years.www.21stcenturyhomeimprovement.com