If your intent is to get to NZ, recommend that you go direct to the Marquesas and spend the
hurricane season there then
head west through
French Polynesia, Cooks,
Tonga,
Fiji and then south next fall. You don't have to hit all the Island Groups but you have a choice. You can hit Hawaii on the way back.
If you want to sail to Hawaii as a shake down, Leave direct from SF. It will be a faster
passage and probably better
weather. Only issue is it stays pretty cold till you get below 25N. Froze my butt off till I was 5 days out of Hilo.
Please, Please, people, put your
boat in your. Knowing what you are sailing makes a big difference on
advice given.