Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful - highly recommended.

Guest: Travel Girl (Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/30/12 Review Submitted: 05/10/12

My 2 daughters (ages 11 and 15) and I stayed in Terry's condo the first part of May; we were very happy with our experience and would highly recommend this rental. The condo description and pictures are accurate. Below is a brief summary. Location: Perfect! Close to attractions (Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Alcatraz departures, Coit Towers, Aquarium), buses, cable car, car rental, restaurants, grocery stores, drug store, Starbucks and a fitness gym (I assured Terry the stairs to Coit Towers along with the hills would suffice and I would not need to visit the gym!). Safety: We felt safe during our stay in Terry's condo. The condo requires an electronic key fob to enter the building; all the exterior doors were always secured. The neighbourhood is quiet and safe. The parked was well lit and felt safe.Yes, there were often people asking for $ outside the grocery store, but they were not on our street. Condo: Worked well for us. It was clean, well maintained, well stocked, good towels and linens and was quiet. We were able to each have our own space at the end of the day. My youngest especially loved the TV on demand and she would go up to the loft area and watch TV and my other daughter and I would read in the sitting area downstairs. Terry: Easy to work with. He was VERY prompt in returning my e-mails. We had a minor issue with the lock and he immediately took care of it. He gave us tips for touring SF. Touring tips: Buy the Muni pass. Use the F streetcar to get downtown. The Mason-Powell cable car line is less busy than the Hyde-Powell line. Rent from Budget - they were cheap ($35/day) and provided decent service. If you go to Muir Woods, it is an easy drive, BUT make sure to get there early and do not go on a weekend. We went early and were amazed at the SMALL parking lot and the masses of people that were arriving as we were leaving. Book Alcatraz in advance. Use Blazing Saddle's Guided tour to bike across the bridge (and then return by ferry). We all agreed that the bike across the bridge was a highlight. If you have kids, visit the Exploratorium. Use the sets of stairs (387 in total on one set) built into the hill to get up to Coit Tower - we went up one set and down the other. Visit the Fortune Cookie Shop in China Town (go down Ross Alley) - yes it is "touristy", but my kids thought it was great! I was worried about driving in SF, it was not an issue, keep in mind however we did not drive downtown! We used the Muni.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Clean, elegant, comfortable...and blissfully quiet!

Guest: coco (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 12/29/11

We are a couple in our 30s/40s, originally from SF. We stayed in this lovely flat for two weeks in November 2011. It was such an oasis of quiet and comfort, we were really sad to leave! The apartment is a high-quality conversion of a brewery building in one of SF's most charming traditional neighborhoods, so you get the best of both worlds: modern comfort with SF ambience. And -- drum roll please -- there's parking! You can also walk 2 blocks and catch the F-train to Union Square. The owner of the flat is a former realtor (hope I got that right), so he thought of everything. The apartment is located on the first floor, so you can easily wheel in the suitcases. The parking garage is just across the central courtyard so coming and going is quick. There's a good quality washer-dryer in the flat. Large closets. Good supply of high quality cleaning products and paper. Nice linens. Beautiful lighting throughout the flat. Great heating system. The walls are covered with lovely paintings and photographs -- and the wall color itself is yummy cafe au lait-ish. Most importantly for me, a light sleeper, it is a very *quiet* apartment. I heard a little piano music one night, a few voices passing on the street another. But basically, it was super serene. North Beach is not my favorite SF neighborhood for restaurants, but there are some good meals to be had: North Beach Restaurant -- homemade fettucini alfredo is a knockout Rose Pistola -- cozy, warm California cuisine, neighborhoody La Mar -- tasty Peruvian ceviche on the waterfront Hillstone -- chain restaurant, but elegant and comfortable, great grilled artichokes I also got a great haircut at the nearby salon Tom's Beautiful Sexy Hair. Highly, highly recommend this apartment except...we don't want you to rent it because we want to go back ;-)

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best Spot in San Francisco

Guest: Yvonne (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 06/16/11

Our family of 4 stayed for a week at this fabulous loft in the North Beach area. It was wonderful. The loft was beautifully decorated, soft plush carpets, plenty of room and comfy beds with lots of pillows. The kitchen was very modern and had anything you might need if you wanted to cook a meal. The kids were thrilled to have internet access when we weren't out sight seeing. We opted not to rent a car because the loft's location was ideal. Everything was close by and within minutes you were on Columbus Avenue with the great cafe's and shops. Fisherman's Wharf was 3 blocks away and everything else was just a short bus ride away. You could pick up one just on the next corner. 2 doors down from the loft was a terrific cafe (Cafe San Francisco ) that had wonderful breakfasts, tasty salads and sandwiches, wine and espresso drinks. It was so convenient. We also took advantage of using the 24 hour fitness club just around the corner . This was right next to a Safeway Market and Trader Joe's. Terry was super nice and provided us with brochures of local sites, attractions, galleries, restaurant recommendations and food menus of local spots. We all agreed that this was the nicest place we have ever stayed at on vacation and when we come back to San Francisco, we want to stay at Terry's Loft again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Comfortable, Quiet...Perfect

Guest: David (Honolulu)
Date of Stay: 05/13/11 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

Two of us just spent three weeks in this wonderful loft. As previous reviewers have noted, the strikingly attractive photos accurately reflect reality, which is not always the case when renting properties sight unseen. Not only is the loft perfectly equipped, but it is immaculate. In addition to being highly intelligent, creative, and accomplished people, the owners are friendly, charming, and helpful, quickly responding to any questions. But they also are non-intrusive, allowing you complete privacy: once you move in you truly feel at home. Though only a block away from excellent grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and much else--and a short cab or bus/streetcar ride to the gastronomical delights of the Ferry Building, museums, and the cornucopia of other adventures this wonderful city offers--the street directly outside is very quiet. It really is a perfect location and a home away from home. We plan to be back next year.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent location; beautiful, well-appointed condo

Guest: Laurie E. (La Selva Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/15/11 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

We stayed here in February 2011 for one week. Although we just live two hours south of San Francisco, we had talked about renting a condo for a week or two to explore the City and have something more than a hotel room to do that from. We found this place on VRBO and jumped at it when they had an opening during the week of my birthday. What a great decision. This was one of our best vacations ever and it was largely because of the comfortable home base we had to return to every day. The condo itself is very well appointed. We like to cook and did so about half the evenings we were there. The kitchen has everything you need (including chop sticks!), and the appliances are all first rate. The artwork is mostly done by the owner and it really makes the place unique. The beds are comfortable, as is all of the furniture. It's not like one of those vacation rentals where people park all of there garage sale junk. The building is very secure and the neighbors are friendly and conscientious. It is also dog friendly, but please obey the rules so we can continue to bring our dog there. What sold us on the place as one we will revisit is the location. It is within easy walking distance of Washington Square, Ghiradelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero, the cable car turnaround, Starbucks, a million incredible restaurants, etc., etc.... I can't think of a more convenient location in San Francisco. A couple of nearby recommendations: 1) Sweeties, which looks like a bit of scary bar, is actually an incredibly friendly locals bar. Free pool, good mixed drinks (short wine list that's not that great), but also dog friendly! 2) Cafe Devine on Washington Square. We had a great dinner here and then went back for lunch with a group later. Absolutely excellent food, atmosphere and service. We highly recommend this place, but hate to do so because we can't find an opening in their calendar. But enjoy if you get lucky enough to get a spot!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Experience!

Guest: Island Time (St Thomas, USVI)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 11/17/10

We had a wonderful month long stay at Terry's loft. It is so wonderfully located to all attractions and transportation. And the furniture is comfortable and the kitchen well equipped. We are in process of relocating to San Francisco from the Caribbean and will stay here again whenever available! So book early and often, you will not be disappointed!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

chris and mike 10/810-10/15/10

Guest: chris (phila. pa.)
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 12/01/10

Wonderful condo, truly a home away from home.It could not have been more comfortable. We usually rent because I like to cook and this was the best out-fitted kitchen I've encountered. Great location for walking and public transportation. Terry was more than accomadting and gracious. The photos online were very accurate, but couldn't captue the beauty of the personal art work or the softness of the sheets and towels. Fun resturants and shops within easy walking distance. Would recommend this condo to friends and family and only hope it's available on our next trip to San Fransisco.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Beautiful Condo in a Fabulous location

Guest: Peggy (South Dakota)
Date of Stay: 09/30/10 Review Submitted: 10/18/10

We recently visited San Fran and were fortunate to find this beautifully furnished condo. It was very spacious, beautiful decor, wonderful beds, great location. I could go on and on. Perfect for two couples or a family. We didn't need our car to get to any of the great restaurants we chose to dine at. The owner was gracious and accommodating. The condo was well supplied with everything we needed...appreciated the washer/dryer with detergent. Would highly recommend and hope to be a repeat guest.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Just Perfect

Guest: Carl (Bermuda)
Date of Stay: 09/29/10 Review Submitted: 09/18/11

We just spent a week at this great apartment. Our kids, who are 12 & 15, loved it. It really was close to everything.5 minutes walk to pier 39, Safeway, trolley cars, bike rental, ferries to Alcatraz and Sausalito. The apartment has everything you would want and the owner is extremely friendly and responded quickly to any queries we had. There was so much to do in San Fran .One day we rented Bikes and rode across Golden Gate to Sausalito, another we walked to Tower Coit and then on to Union Square via China town. If it wasn't for all the great food we might have actually gone home fitter than we came.We even saw a Giants game. The apartment was spotless, very quite and very comfortable with great art on the walls. My 12 year old son slept on the pull out couch and the only trouble was getting him to wake up. We will certainly stay here next time we are in San Francisco and recommended this apartment to friends who travel there.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Exceptional!

Guest: Linda (Fayetteville,AR & Kyoto, Japan)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/08/10

Wow! This loft has everything. Carey on 5/05 has said it well, but let me add a few things. We were trying to find a midway point to meet my son & his wife between Arkansas & Japan when I found Terry's rental in SF. Naturally suspicious of anything purchased sight unseen, Terry & Magda REALLY could not have been more accommodating & welcoming. Situated in a quiet residential area, the loft is only a few steps from the heartbeat of North Beach. The loft is within easy walking distance to all the tourist attractions, restaurants, quirky shops, drug & grocery stores and parks. It is 1/2 block from the bus stop. The loft is very quiet, safe, modern and open. Original art work adorns the walls and the furniture is cozy & comfortable. No need to bring many clothes. The washer & dryer ran constantly. The kitchen is well-equipped including many spices & gadgets. Terry has thought of everything-iron & ironing board, hair dryers and even umbrellas. I can't say enough about this loft or Terry! 'Just wish I was back in SF.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Exceptional Loft Condo

Guest: Roberta (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 08/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

This really is a great loft condo with ceiling to floor windows, two good sized baths, a very efficient computer area; modern, comfortable and very secure. I was particularly impressed that there was no hint of anybody else having lived there; it was like an extremely elegant hotel. I liked the impersonality of it. Also, you didn't have to bring anything; it was very well equipped with towels, sheets, blankets, kitchen utensils and paper goods. It's in a great area with lots of cafes, restaurants and a pleasant bike ride to the bridge, the presidio and Ft. Mason.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Photos and Text Accurate. Great vacation rental!

Guest: Carey on Cozumel (Cozumel Mexico and Gainesville FL)
Date of Stay: 05/05/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

I shouldn't really even be writing this review. Because if the place gets too popular, we won't be able to get a booking next year. (Waaah.) But Terry, the landlord, is such a nice guy, so accommodating and cheerful that I can't in all conscience not put in a good word for this Grand Flat! My husband and I simply loved the month we spent in this extremely comfortable, beautifully decorated loft apartment. It is very spacious and airy with high ceilings. And, as the owner is an artist, the entire space is beautifully defined with many original paintings and photographs. The building itself is quite interesting with a stunner of a little courtyard with a large and outrageous Luis Barragan style fountain. Extremely quiet street but close to so many things. There are two great coffee shops within 1/2 block, one of which, Café Capriccio, was voted 8th best in the city and boy are their mochas and lattes great! A quaint little neighbhorhood bar right down the street with a lot of regular north beach times hanging out there talking on the sidewalk but not making noise or adding loud music. Block has a real neighborhood feel with a lot of happy people.One of the best off the beaten path Italian restaurants, is literally 1/2 block away! (Check out Albonas on yelp). Location couldn't be better -- literally one block from Trader Joe's as well as the North Point Shopping Center which has a Safeway, Walgreens, ATM, Radio Shack and the like. 4 blocks from Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Three blocks to gorgeous Washington Square Park in the heart of Little Italy with all the great sidewalk cafes and funky little shops, deli's etc. Easy walk to Chinatown, Coit Tower, Russian Hill, Lombard Hill and the Marina area. So you don't need a car but that parking space comes in handy if you do. Highly recommended for one or two couples. We were sorry to leave and hope to come back again next year. Carey Sutton Cozumel Mexico and Gainesville, FL

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Hip Condo in North Beach

Guest: SF enthusiast (Rhode Island)
Date of Stay: 03/03/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

We enjoyed our 4 week stay at Terry Lee's condo/loft very much. The condo was clean, quiet and well-appointed in an interesting historic building. The location couldn't be better--two blocks to Trader Joe's, Safeway grocery, Walgreen's pharmacy, Starbucks and public transportation. The MUNI transportation system in SF is so good, you don't need a car. If you enjoy walking, you can walk everywhere--Chinatown, the Ferry building, Fishermen's Wharf, etc. There are many good restaurants within walking distance from the condo. We enjoyed L'Osteria and Iluna Basque. Our last night, we walked back from Green's wonderful vegetarian restaurant on the bay under a full moon. We look forward to our next visit.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/15/09 Review Submitted: 10/15/09

a very comfortable loft,carefully and tastefully decorated,including 2 bedrooms ,each with a full bathroom. The building is architecturally quite interesting,well kept,with parking and located near the San Francisco Piers,North Beach and easy access to buses.It took no time to feel at home away from home,very enjoyable stay

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Guest: Sakura Inthavong (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Date of Stay: 09/07/09 Review Submitted: 09/07/09

Fantastic place to stay!!! My husband and two teenagers really enjoyed our stay at Terry's loft. The loft was really well equipped, decorated and spacious. It is also very well located so walking distance to the Wharf, North Beach, Chinatown and Financial District. A car is not needed but there is also covered parking. Wish we could have stayed longer since we decided to stay another month but he was already booked right after our departure date. Will definitely stay here when we return to San Francisco!

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Guest: Colin Neill (Scotland)
Date of Stay: 08/10/09 Review Submitted: 08/10/09

445 Francisco Loft Apartment was a great base for a visit to San Francisco. Well positioned three blocks from Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and a multitude of excellent Italian restaurants. The loft was spacious, clean and homely. We felt as if it could have been our home. Staying here you don't need a car. The public transit system is within easy walking and the cable car is only two blocks away. A fantastic holiday and throughout the planning and organising Terry could not have been more helpful. I fully recommend this as a comfortable, affordable and pleasant place to stay. Many thanks from Scotland for enhancing our holiday

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Guest: Shelley K. (-)
Date of Stay: 08/10/09 Review Submitted: 08/10/09

terrific location at the north end of North Beach near the wharf, but on a quiet residential street. 2 blocks from the cable car run, bus stop at the corner, and a half mile walk or less to North Beach (Rose Pistola, Caffe Trieste, Caffe Sport, Mamma's, and Tivoli Savoy), Chinatown, Coit Tower, Embarcadero, and the Wharf. The townhouse is better than the pictures...like new condition with flat screen TV's and great techno stuff. The washer and dryer allowed us to pack less and the secured parking spot saved us money those days we rented a car. The available laptop allowed us to leave ours at home. Terry was a great host and available for any questions. Highly recommended.

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Guest: Nick56 (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/20/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

I loved my stay at the loft! Perfect location, clean, quiet, spacious living, close to public transportation. Also around the corner from Trader Joe's, Safeway, Walgreens, and 24-hour Fitness. Stayed there a month and wish I could have stayed longer!

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Guest: Jocelyn and Angie (Montreal)
Date of Stay: 03/20/09 Review Submitted: 03/20/09

This was my second time in San Francisco... This time we opted for a North Beach location as opposed to downtown. We stayed 3 weeks in this beautiful 2 bedroom condo and it was great. The condo was very clean, very well furnished and centrally located on a quiet street in a great neighborhood. The unit is exactly as shown on the photos and the owner is excellent to work with. I will definitely stay here again...

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Guest: Marge3 (chicago IL)
Date of Stay: 03/12/09 Review Submitted: 03/12/09

Recently visiting San Francisco I stayed at the 2 bedroom apartment......wow! it was a very nicely appointed and comfortable apartment. Staying in North Beach in this apartment is the only way I will ever stay again in San Francisco.

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Guest: Crescent (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 03/06/09 Review Submitted: 03/06/09

The condo was a great place to stay. The interior is clean and plush; the location is fun and great walking distance to lots of places in the city. The owner is excellent to work with. All in all a wonderful experience! (And there are remote controlled drapes! :-)

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Guest: Magda3 (Gdynia,Poland)
Date of Stay: 01/05/09 Review Submitted: 01/05/09

I stayed at the loft for three months and loved it. The location is ideal and the apartment was clean, intimate and quiet.

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Guest: Clive and family (Brooklyn, NY)
Date of Stay: 12/24/08 Review Submitted: 12/24/08

Ideal location, lovely accommodations; convenient parking, access to transportation; quiet, attractive, comfortable: perfect in every way.

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