also agree--i have too many memories of endless delays up along the CA coast over my years of commuting between LAX/SFO for work...so while i personally would not risk a same day connect on separate tickets, i would instead fly up the night before and shack up at the Hyatt SFO which is connected on the airtrain (and lovely though pricey depending on budget).

barring that, without question i'd take the long connection and have a nice leisurely lunch in one of the great places in terminal 1 which is connected to the international terminal airside now.