Absolutely enjoyable!

Guest: Elli_MacBookPro H.
Date of Stay: 09/09/11 Review Submitted: 10/15/11

We were really feeling at home! Everything has been as expected. The apartment feels so cosy, tastefully furnished, it's so quiet and clean and the garden is a wonderful oasis! Also very close to very good restaurants, cafes, shops ... just fantastic for a more then a weeks stay!!!

Recommended for:

Treat yourself. Go ahead, you won't regret it.

Guest: Party of four (Columbus, OH)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

So you do have to climb a hill (and some stairs) to get to this charming Victorian flat near the heart of the Castro, but the views and amenities make up for it. The main bedroom faces a quiet street and with views of downtown. It is furnished comfortably and more spacious than the photos suggest. The immense walk-in closet begs you to shop. The second bedroom faces the house next door, is quiet and comfortable as well, but probably better suited for just one person as a day bed is a day bed is a day bed. The bathroom is immaculate and spacious with a substantial hot water supply (it kept 4 people happy with consecutive long showers every day). The kitchen was the best I have ever seen in a rental with stainless steel appliances (the high-end sub-zero Wolf is ridiculous). We didn’t cook but the stone and glassware was appreciated when we entertained one evening. The backyard is where you will probably spend most of your time if the weather permits. It has a wild, over-grown yet subtly maintained English garden feel, right down to the cat that walks through while you’re sunning yourself. We felt spoiled during our stay, which given the cost says a lot.

Owner response:It was a pleasure to have renters enjoy our property. Just want to comment on the mention of the second bedroom being better suited for just one person...The second bedroom daybed has a premium twin size mattress and underneath the bed there's another premium twin size mattress on a popup trundle...not sure if this renter knew that. So the bedroom can be used for one person or two if the bed underneath the daybed is used. The twin bed underneath the day bed can be moved anywhere in the room since it has wheels and pops up to accomodate two people or it can be combined with the daybed to make it a kingsize bed if desired. The cat is the next door neighbors cat that strays into our yard from time to time and is friendly but reserved.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children.

Great San Francisco experience

Guest: Patricia (Brazil)
Date of Stay: 04/11/11 Review Submitted: 05/08/11

We stayed in this property for 2 weeks in April. The apartment is in a quiet street but walking distance from many restaurants and stores, very convenient if you don't have a car. If you do, parking can be a problem. A great organic market named Mollie Stone is on 18th St past Castro, they have a van to drive you back home. There is an amazing kitchen so if you like to cook take advantage of the appliances and enjoy the patio or the dining room overlooking it. Mach the manager is perfect and knows about the area. It is difficult to feel at home in a rental property, but in this one you will.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

My favorite VRBO in San Francisco

Guest: Borracha (San Luis Obispo)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 04/13/11

I live in San Luis Obispo and visit SF often.. Hands down this is my favorite spot to stay. Not only is the house AMAZING, but its in a super hip and fun area. The garden outside is perfect for morning coffee or sunset glass of wine. Views from the master bedroom are stunning. Love this place and cant wait to return.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Incredible Experience

Guest: Daniel (New York City)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/12/11

The apartment is immaculate! Incredible place to spend a week. Very spacious, beautiful gourmet kitchen, and a garden/deck that was made for watching the sun set. Perfect location near Dolores Park and The Castro. I would stay again in a heartbeat.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Elegance in the Castro

Guest: F&P (Portland, Oregon, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/22/11 Review Submitted: 04/04/11

We have stayed in several VRBO and HomeAway rentals, and rate this beautiful apartment clearly in the very top tier. Do not be dissuaded by the one negative reviewer unless a flight of stairs is a concern. The owner and property manager were solicitous and accommodating, and the apartment is even nicer than you expect from the pictures. A perfect place for a couple to enjoy life in the Castro and Mission like walking to the coffee/bakery at Tartine, groceries at Bi-Rite, pizza at Delphine, and a seafood lunch at Anchor Oyster Bar.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

Love this Apartment

Guest: Weary Business Traveler (Austin)
Date of Stay: 03/02/11 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

Being a frequent traveler for business and pleasure, we rent homes all over the world at the minimum of 8 to 10 times per year, this in addition to the multitudes of hotel stays. That being said, we love this apartment! This was our second stay and have already booked it for two more visits later this year. It is beautiful, professionally and thoughtfully managed, comfortable and located in a great neighborhood. But please don't rent it, because then it may not be available for me. Thank you Ron for sharing your lovely home.

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

Just like the photographs...

Guest: JC (Miami)
Date of Stay: 03/15/11 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

Rented the apt for 4 days with family (2 kids: 9 & 7). House was awesome on the top floor. Well kept and well stocked. Very clean! Quiet neighborhood. Awesome sleep after hours of walking the wonderful SF. Nice views of the city and surrounding neighborhoods. Transportation to/from SFO was with car service for $50+tip each way. Took less than 30 minutes. Great location in Castro neighborhood with ample coffee shops. A Safeway supermarket is about a mile away. Many small restaurants within walking distance. Public transportation was nearby. Near small corner market to get water, milk, last minute things. The house had 2 bedrooms. One housed a great king bed with ample space and decent sized closet. Closet were well stocked with wood hangers. The other bedroom housed a twin bed with a twin trundle bed. Small room & closet but perfect for kids. Great sheets & blankets. Huge living room with great sofas and ambience and beautiful vistas of the exterior back patio. Gorgeous dark hardwood pine floors. Dining area has a small table for 4 comfortable next to kitchen. Again, great vistas while eating with many windows all around the apt. Bathroom was spacious and the shower was awesome. Instant hot water. Little space for personal items but no big deal. The back exterior patio was tranquil & cozy but did not get to enjoy too much due to being out most of the time and rainy & cold weather. Nice patio furniture and landscaping. Decent 42" (I think) 16:9 TV with Comcast cable. Not high def. Awesome Bose system thru house and in master bedroom. Cool selection of brazilian music! Couldn't get the wireless to work so hookup up directly to the DSL modem and voila. Kitchen was ample with a great Wolf stove on natural or propane gas with an exhaust hood. Had all utensils needed. Refrigerator and Bosch dishwasher. Coffee maker but no espresso maker :-( The entire house is controlled via dimmers with halogen lights for the most part and a few regular incandescent bulbs. Very cool ambiance! Communication with Ron the owner and Mach the manager was great, prompt and accurate. Mach was very helpful with recommendations and local information. Easy payments and refunds via paypal's service. Minor drawbacks: no washer/dryer & no garage parking. I had a rental car and parked it 5 minutes away near Dolores park where a parking permit is not required. Tried to get a temporary visitor pass but did not get lucky with the SF parking folks. Highly recommended!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, families with young children.

Elegant, Updated, Comfortable, Sexy Home

Guest: Wendee and Jeff (Carlsbad California)
Date of Stay: 01/07/11 Review Submitted: 01/16/11

My boyfriend surprised me with a four day getaway to San Fransisco and booked Ron's home because I am very picky about 1. a great bed 2. cleanliness 3. safety 4. beauty I was so delighted when we arrived, after taking Bart in from the Airport, and walking the rest of the way with our backpacks. I do recommend to travel light as the hills are steep if you are not renting a car. I was most impressed with the top quality furnishings and comfortable beds, (my BF snores, so I found myself in the second bedroom nightly in the wee hours...very cozy). We ended up going to the 7/11 two block away as well as an organic market and an italian deli for a dinner at home, cooked on a WOLF stove and oven! We used the coffee maker and bought coffee at Castro Coffee, delicious! We dance in the spacious living room to the music we hooked up to his astounding Bose Stereo system with our Ipod. We lounged on the oversized white microfiber sectional with overstuffed pillows as we caught up on our reading. Breakfast was lovely in the attached dining area with french doors to the quaint patio. It was cold outside, and toasty warm inside with instant heat at the touch of the thermostat and extra blankets for the bed. Great shower with enough pressure to relax my neck muscles. The master bedroom was so romantic, with the quality CA King bed with three types of pillows for each of our needs, placed in the alcove with custom lighting, chocolate brown paint on the walls that was designed to look like wall paper with the alternating matt and gloss finish, and the custom closet that held all our belongings. It would be great if they provided the presto log for the master fireplace, as they were hard to find and haul back home without a car. I bet they will get one if you ask! Internet access was flawless, check in & check out was easy with the property manager Mach, and no street noise, or neighbors could be heard. We both agreed that this four day vacation was more impressive to us than the last trip we took to Switzerland. It was easy (no money to exchange or language barrier) cost effective for what we received, and whenever we got tired of riding the public transportation, we simply went home to our Home Away From Home. It has been 5 days back and we just received our security deposit from Ron via PayPal. We will be back to see all our new friends we made in the Castro district while dining and shopping. This home made our trip a romantic dream.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway.

Great house in a great neighborhood

Guest: Chelsea (Knoxville TN)
Date of Stay: 09/09/10 Review Submitted: 09/18/10

We just visited San Fran after moving from the Bay Area to Tennessee and wanted to get away from the mess of Union Square. The Castro is such a lovely neighborhood and this house couldn't have been nicer. Easily the nicest garden on the block and a beautiful view from the master bedroom window and deck. Very clean and well kept and the caretaker was accommodating and just down the street. We walked every morning for coffee and a few night for dinner and drinks. A sure bet for anyone who likes to get the real feeling of a city and stay away from the tourists.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.