Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great spot for families

Guest: Heidi S (Vancouver, Washington)
Date of Stay: 04/01/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

This was our first time using VRBO. Our youngest child is a 2.5 year old boy and the thought of being stuck in a small, overpriced hotel room for a week was not appealing! Access to safe outdoor space with the back yard was great, as well as the washer/dryer and full kitchen. Our daughter has a food allergy so eating out for every meal for a week is very stressful for us. Having familiar foods and a familiar routine were key factors in having an enjoyable vacation. The apartment has cable TV, which I only point out because after we arrived I realized that having access to the "normal" stuff from home helped to ease anxieties from the kids about being in a new place. I didn't have it on my list when looking for a VRBO but in hindsight, I was very thankful for it. The owners were very helpful before we booked, as well as during our stay. I knew ahead of time we would have easy access to all the food and supplies a family with small kids needs -- that helped my travel stress! Noe Valley is a great part of town -- a local friend suggested it as the spot to use as our "base" for the week. We were busy every day and I wish we had more time to explore the main street with all the great shops and restaurants. We had a rental car and were always able to find side street parking. A bus runs right in front of the house but the routes might not be the speediest for the tourist locations. This is a first floor apartment so you will hear little feet overhead but it wasn't an issue for us -- it sounded like our little feet were on the same schedule. This apartment gave us everything we needed to feel at home and like we were real San Franciscans for the week. My daughter wants to move there now! We are not moving, but we would definitely stay here again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway.

Charming Apartment, Perfect Location!

Guest: Donna (Pelham, NY)
Date of Stay: 09/08/11 Review Submitted: 09/19/11

We loved staying at Ben and Emily's lovely little apartment! I've been to San Francisco many times, but never knew about the charms of Noe Valley. It's off the beaten tourist track -- a wonderful neighborhood with a vibrant commercial district (24th Street) that boasts plenty of unique shops and restaurants. Plus The Mission and the Castro are a stone's throw away. We rented a car and were able to find street parking with no problem (this is NOT the case in most SF neighborhoods!). The apartment itself is very cozy -- furnished with many interesting items from the couple's world travels -- and the beds are extremely comfortable. The garden is splendid; what a nice surprise to find freshly cut flowers on the terrace table! We'd definitely stay here again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Loved this place

Guest: A picky traveler (Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 09/02/11 Review Submitted: 09/19/11

We loved our stay in this cozy apartment--so close to Noe Valley shops, Whole Foods, and the bus stop. It was so comfortable to come back to after the four of us spent a long day of walking around the city. The owner was also very dependable, helpful, and kind--all things which make a stay that much better. Later on our trip (to a city outside of SF) we stayed at a gorgeous hotel on the ocean, but we actually loved this apartment more than that hotel. I highly recommend it.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Great apartment, great location

Guest: exSFers (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

To get a real feel for San Francisco (not just the tourist-guide version of the city), Noe Valley is a fabulous spot. 24th street (2 blocks from this apartment) is a perfect slice of SF neighborhood life. Not yuppie Marina or hippie Haight, rather a bit of everything. Nearby Mission and Castro neighborhoods are special places unique to this city, rich with culture and history. This apartment is in the thick of it all, but on a quiet, walkable, and parkable (!) street. The apartment is cozy and well-appointed, with fabulous decorative accents from Indonesia and other parts of the world. The backyard garden is a lovely, peaceful spot. Emily and Ben couldn't be nicer people, thoughtful and accommodating. Overall, a great stay.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Noe Valley location

Guest: Brian, Cathy and Riley (Lake Forest Park )
Date of Stay: 06/20/11 Review Submitted: 07/10/11

My wife, my 10 year old son and I just spent a week in Emily's apartment in the Noe Valley. 24th Street is close by with some excellent shopping or take a trolley bus just outside to head for the Mission District or the Castro. The apartment was clean and quiet and we had a blast every day. Recommended.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Family Fun in San Francisco!!

Guest: Sarah & Family (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/20/11

We recently had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful Victorian rental. The home is exactly as described and pictured, and is fully stocked with anything and everything that you could possibly need. We traveled to SF with my disabled mother, husband, and twin one-year old daughters. The bus system in SF is fantastic and this home is located within walking distance to several bus stops. There is an incline on Castro from 24th Street, but Emily (the homeowner) helped us avoid that leg of the street with several helpful tips, so it was not an issue for us. In fact, the rental is stocked with a ton of SF literature, brochures and maps, which made sightseeing incredibly easy and convienient. Emily even allowed us to borrow a highchair and crib for our little ones, and the toy blocks stashed away in the master room were a huge hit!! All in all, a wonderful weekend in SF at a wonderful vacation rental!!! We will be back!

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

ESTUPENDA ESTADIA

Guest: academico52 (Mar del Plata, Argentina)
Date of Stay: 04/24/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

Nos alojamos en la casa de Emily entre el 24 y 29 de abril ultimo, el lugar es estupendo , bien ubicado, sin problemas para estacionar nuestro auto, eramos 4 mayores la casa tiene todo el confort necesario para pasarla estupendamente, propiedad altamente recomendable.- Emily te agradecemos tu atencion,y si vovieramos a San Francisco, volveriamos a tu casa, saludos a Ben y tus hijos

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A great area to stay!

Guest: Diane, Nigel and Nick (Nottinghamshire - UK)
Date of Stay: 04/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/04/11

We were delighted with our stay in Noe Valley. The owners Emily and Ben were helpful and friendly, and the area (although hilly - but it is San Francisco!) was great with good restaurants and shops within easy distance. The apartment was excellent - everthing you could need and access to a lovely deck area. Can thoroughly recommend this apartment. We used local transport - rather than our hire care, which we parked on an adjacent street for the four days of our stay, and if you intend to do this we would recommend you purchase a MUNI pass - it saves money, and make sure you get a timetable! A great stop on our California Road Trip.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Appartement très fonctionnel ds quartier super sympa

Guest: claire@france (Montpellier, France)
Date of Stay: 02/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/06/11

Nous avons passé 5 jours ds cet appt. Echange de mail très rapide avec les proprio qui habitent au-dessus (pratique en cas de questions/pb). L'appt est très bien aménagé avec 2 chambres très confortables, une cuisine bien équipée et un salon fonctionnel, le tout propre et joliment décoré. Le quartier (Noe valley) est central et vraiment sympa, avec cafés, et petits snacks/restos à proximité (et même un super Whole food market, très pratique pour les courses à 2 pâtés de maison et une boulangerie). Bref, on recommande !

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Very nice place to stay

Guest: mike (carefree, az)
Date of Stay: 01/08/11 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

The unit was comfy, clean and a great location for us. The beds are very comfortable and the backyard peaceful. We had an elderly person with us and easy navigation around the unit was necessary. It was difficult to find a place with few elevation changes and east access. Public transportation was convenient and access to downtown SF or Noe is a breeze. The property was accurately portrayed in the add. The owner family was wonderful. We recommend this property to anyone and will certainly consider it for future stays.

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Very nice place to stay

Guest: mike (carefree, az)
Date of Stay: 01/08/11 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

The unit was comfy, clean and a great location for us. The beds are very comfortable and the backyard peaceful. We had an elderly person with us and easy navigation around the unit was necessary. It was difficult to find a place with few elevation changes and east access. Public transportation was convenient and access to downtown SF or Noe is a breeze. The property was accurately portrayed in the add. The owner family was wonderful. We recommend this property to anyone and will certainly consider it for future stays.

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Great spot for family or friends!

Guest: Steph (Northern California)
Date of Stay: 01/07/11 Review Submitted: 01/17/11

I spent a weekend in Emily's beautiful apartment with a couple of friends and we all agreed that this was one of the best vacation rentals we had visited on both coasts. The apartment is full of fabulous furniture and unique decorations, not to mention the comfortable beds and rocking chairs. The fully stocked kitchen makes it easy to eat-in, although Noe Valley and the neighboring districts are full of wonderful restaurants, all within walking distance or a quick taxi ride. I plan to return later this year with my family, as the apartment and small, fully enclosed yard would be perfect for a getaway with little ones. Thank you for a wonderful weekend away!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Great Time in Wonderful Surroundings

Guest: Liz (Boulder, CO)
Date of Stay: 11/11/10 Review Submitted: 11/19/10

My family and I (2 kids ages 10 and 12) recently visited San Francisco and stayed at Emily's wonderful downstairs flat. We found it spacious and comfortable, with everything we needed right at hand. And the personal touches and tasteful decor made this as wonderful a stay as in a fine hotel. But we most enjoyed the location! Just a couple of blocks to 24th St with it's wonderful coffee shops, restaurants and farmers market. We felt like part of the neighborhood. We will definitely return to this great apartment any opportunity we get. Oh yes, parking wasn't bad at all. Pretty easy to find every night.

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

Wonderful stay in San Francisco

Guest: Birdie (Cumming, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 10/12/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

This downstairs apartment was perfect for our visit to San Francisco. We were able to park on Alvardo Street, less than a block away for the entire time. Public transportation was close by. Emily was there to answer any questions and to make sure we had what we needed. Restaurants were nearby and convenient. The apartment was clean and comfortable with a great little deck in the back. It was a great home away from home.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

It's All Good!

Guest: Jana (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 07/28/10

We spent three nights in this very clean two-bedroom flat. The photos are an accurate reflection of the property. We felt very safe in the flat and in the neighborhood. We utilized the kitchen and cooked a few meals. The garden is a wonderful place to spend some time and relax. We all slept well as the beds and pillows are very comfortable. We were happy to meet the property owner Emily and visit for a while in the garden. Emily was very helpful and wanted to make sure our stay was comfortable and was willing to assist us with any questions or needs via email before we arrived and while we were there. I will look forward to our next visit!

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Great Rental / No car needed / Good for Families

Guest: Pauline R. (Denton, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

My husband, 3-year-old son, and I just spent an amazing week in this apartment. The apartment is impeccable, super functional, and quiet, with an amazing garden and view. The owners are very helpful and friendly. This rental is located in the heart of Noe Valley which is a very safe and family-friendly neighborhood with lots of cafes, restaurants, cool shops, a Wholefoods, a toddler playground etc. You definitely don't need a car as there are buses 2 blocks away that take you to the Castro District, the Mission, Haight-Ashbury etc. and connect to the streetcars that take you Downtown and to Fisherman's Warf etc. An excellent rental altogether. Would definitely go back and recommend to friends.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Wonderful Apartment and Location for Experiencing the SF City Life

Guest: Patti (Kansas City)
Date of Stay: 06/28/10 Review Submitted: 07/09/10

We just finished our visit to SF and loved our time at this apartment! I echo everyone's comments, it was quiet, clean, smartly decorated and included the added bonuses of a beautiful garden, washer/dryer and easy access to public transportation and local stores. Emily was fantastic to work with and quickly responded to all requests! I would highly recommend scouting around the Noe Valley neighborhood, so many good shops to enjoy that you might miss by just going into the city everyday. Try to make it to the Saturday morning market, if only for enjoying the colorful display of all the goods! My husband and I got up in the mornings to run and then picked up donuts, etc. to bring home and enjoy on the patio (which was in full bloom) all while our kids slept in, it was great! It is such a beautiful neighborhood too, you will really enjoy your stay! We definitely would return for another stay, totally felt like we got the feel for living in SF! Thanks Emily!

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

A home away from home

Guest: Harriett (East Lansing, MI)
Date of Stay: 06/21/10 Review Submitted: 07/05/10

The apartment was all we could have wished for. It was very comfortable, clean, well equipped, and filled with light. The garden was beautiful. The location was perfect for us. We could find anything we needed on 24th Street, just a few blocks away. And there was easy access to transportation to take us to the heart of the city. Emily was a warm and helpful host.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Beautiful Cozy Apartment

Guest: galileo24 (portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 06/29/10

We had a wonderful time at this home away from home in a great neighborhood in Noe Valley. Adorable apartment with beautiful decor and a lovely garden in the back. Very close to shops and restaurants, We greatly appreciated the owners leaving a list of different recommendations for things to do in the area. Parking was fairly stress free compared to the rest of the city, which was another bonus. We definitely would stay here again and would suggest it to friends.

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

Noe Valley Hide Away

Guest: Friederike E. (Germany)
Date of Stay: 04/30/10 Review Submitted: 06/04/10

This appartment was just perfect for my husband and me with our two little kids. Everything was beautiful, comfortable and clean, and the garden is a perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Noe Valley is a lovely and safe neighbourhood, the charming 24th street is within a short walking-distance down-hill. The owners are lovley and very helpful! Thank you very much Emily and Ben!

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Guest: betsy k. (-)
Date of Stay: 03/27/10 Review Submitted: 03/27/10

My husband and I rented this apartment for a month from January to February awaiting the birth of our grandson. It's delightful! It's beautifully appointed with all that one needs and we loved the decorations which come from all over the world. Waking up to a miniature English garden every morning with a view of South San Francisco bay beyond is magical! Emily and her family are lovely and very helpful! We hope to make this a yearly routine and couldn't be more enthusiastic about this very warm and inviting apartment.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/14/10 Review Submitted: 01/13/10

Cute and stylish holiday apartment with 2 comfy queenbed rooms. Comfortable, clean, and quiet with a little deck at the back that opens out to a pretty little garden and distant views. If you drive, free parking is not hard to find, and the neighbourhood is safe. Just the perfect base for touring SF.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/09/09 Review Submitted: 11/09/09

This rental apartment looks exactly as it did in the photos VRBO sent me. It's colorful, comfortable, clean, and quiet with a lovely back yard, sizable garden, picnic table and deck in the back, the perfect place to wind down after a long day. I slept better there than I ever have anywhere I've been away from home. All the appliances work and there's free wireless Internet access. Buses are available all day to and from the Noe Valley shopping district. Cabbies are efficient and accommodating. It's the only rental in this home and the owners are wonderful.

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Guest: Anna54 (Princeton, NJ)
Date of Stay: 10/13/09 Review Submitted: 10/13/09

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this eclectically furnished apartment that also has a beautiful well kept garden overlooking San Francisco. The experience of staying in Noe Vally-Castro was also far more 'real' than if we had stayed in a regular hotel downtown.

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Guest: Patrick Cain (Manchester, UK)
Date of Stay: 10/11/09 Review Submitted: 10/10/09

This is the perfect San Francisco hideaway. The location is just past the crest of Castro St as it dips into Noe Valley, so the views around are fantastic, and you get the perfect blend of Castro vibe and Noe Valley cool. We stayed here 12-17Aug 2009 with my wife and two teenage kids, and it's a week we'll remember fondly for a long time. The apartment is light, airy, with lovely furnishings including a number of fascinating pieces collected by Emily and Ben on their world travels. This was a long-awaited return to SF for me, and the apartment made the trip. Thank you guys - sorry it took so long to post - mad time since we got back.

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Guest: Ilise Binhak (-)
Date of Stay: 10/05/09 Review Submitted: 10/05/09

The apt was lovely, comfortable and well stocked. With 2 young children, the location was great. We will definitely stay there again if we return to SF!

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Guest: Naoko1 (Tokyo)
Date of Stay: 09/23/09 Review Submitted: 09/23/09

The room is just perfect!! I spent 1 week here with my husband and his parents. We all loved spending time in this room and the beautiful garden. The furniture is good taste, the place is cosy and quite. The owner is very kind and helpful. We would like to stay here again when we visit SFO.

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Guest: Ole Jauch (Denmark - Copenhagen)
Date of Stay: 08/03/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/09

Very nice place. Everything was perfect. The apartment is a perfect base for a great vacation in SFO and exciting furnished from the owners trip to Indonesia. Communication, payment and all practical details was cleared smoothly and easily. I can only recommend this place to anyone deciding to go. Thanks Emily and Ben for letting us renting your place.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/05/09 Review Submitted: 05/05/09

Our stay in San Francisco was made all the more special by staying in this lovely apartment. Everything was fresh, new and very comfortable. The location was perfect for our needs being close to local family and friends while having easy access to public transportation. Can't wait to go back!

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