You didn't say where in Lake Como you need to be? That is important because it is a large lake with many entrances. I'm originally from San Francisco (now in Florida), but I assume you can get to SFO without directions.
I just returned from Lake Como, and I recommend flying in to Malpensa airport in Milan. There is a great train called the Malpensa Express that runs from the airport to downtown Milan. Along the way it stops at several stations where you can get trains to Como, Lecco, or many places where you want to go.
Let us know what part of the Lake you are going to an folks can help with the part from the airport to your destination city.
Mike
Ps. I loved the entire Lake. It was my first trip to the area (and my first to Europe), and I loved it.
