why is it so hard to find doctors in SF?

I think it is difficult to find doctors in any city but I'm finding San Francisco to be particularly hard to navigate. Also, the new doctor search has been one of the top tasks I've dreaded since moving to San Francisco. Unfortunately, my aching knees require some medical evaluation so I've started the thankless task of finding medical attention. And since this is such a painful process (finding a doctor not just my knees), I figured I'd just do the search for all my medical needs now. Mostly because I have time this week and might not next week.

What I really need is a physical therapist. But after searching Yelp reviews and cross-referencing them with the provider directory for about 30 minutes and finally reaching a promising-sounding PT to make an appointment, I am introduced to my first wrinkle. California state law requires all PT work to originate from a GP referral. Great. So now I have to find a GP, wait for a GP to diagnose my knees, and then refer me to a PT. My actual insurance plan doesn't require a referral, CA state law does though. Thanks California.

I've left 3 messages with 3 services inquiring about taking new clients and making an appointment. Each service guaranteeing a response within 24-48 hours. Awesome. + 2 days of more knee pain. + 2 weeks until I get in to see the doctor. + 2 more weeks until I can see the physical therapist. That puts any treatment pretty far out. I'll probably be all better by the time I meet with the PT. Is that what they call preventative medicine? Just can't make an appointment until it goes away?

The lesson? Don't put this off until you have a problem, start searching the first week you land in town. Right now I'm trying to get set up with a dentist because my next yearly appointment is about 6 months out. Think that's enough time?