Charming Macondray Lane Flat with Bay Views
- Minimum stay:14 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
This is a charming and Bohemian San Francisco flat centrally located on Russian Hill. The flat is the top of two units in an historic cottage on Macondray Lane, a lovely walking Lane which runs between Taylor and Jones streets. This lane is vibrant green with abundant gardens and a brick and cobblestone walk way. One feels in the country rather than the city and the noise of the streets and city sounds are muffled in this sequestered lane. The house was built in 1850 and has a warm charm and lovely furniture and decor. The owners prefer to rent to those who'd like to stay for two weeks or longer.
It has a tower bedroom with spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. (There isn't a bathroom connected to the master bedroom.) Just off the tower bedroom is a roof deck with wrought iron table and chairs and a gas grill for entertaining. This deck includes views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz and Coit Tower. The 4th of July fireworks can be enjoyed from here. The second room is a small den with a daybed/trundle which can sleep 2, and has a separate TV/DVD. (No closet.)
The living room has historic warm Mahogany paneling, views, a fireplace, and a table for eating. The dining room seats 8 - 10 and is equipped for entertaining including cloth tablecloth and napkins. The kitchen has a Wolff stove, and is fully furnished for your convenience, and is adjacent to a sunny breakfast room which looks out on Taylor Street. The bathroom has a shower as well as a separate whirlpool tub.
This unit contains lovely and sometimes rustic decor, art and books. It is by no means an impersonal condo. For that reason, we prefer to rent for at least two weeks at a time.
Most tenants find they do not need a car as there is a Green Grocer, Wine Shop and the SearchLight Market within 2-3 blocks, and it is an easy walk to North Beach, Polk Street Shopping District, China Town or Fisherman's Wharf. Convenient bus stops are just 1 block away. However, tenants can rent a secure parking space in a building 3 blocks away on Hyde Street.
MACONDRAY LANE (Information from the Russian Hill Neighbors website):
'Sandwiched between Green and Union Streets and between Taylor and Leavenworth Streets, Macondray Lane is a secret find. The block between Jones and Taylor is most significant. Macondray Lane has long captured the hearts of San Franciscans and visitors for its woodsy enclave with charming cottages, interesting new buildings, and most special of all, gardens on the south side of the public path. As you traverse the lane you will find many different garden areas, yet they all seem to fit together. This was an early enclave for artists and writers including California Poet Laureate Ina Coolbrith and, for many years, some of the city's leading newspapermen. The informal landscaped gardens began early in the twentieth century.
In the late 1970s, Macondray Lane was memorialized as 'Barbary Lane' in Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City.
15-17 Macondray Lane, 'Giuseppe Cadenasso Flats,' Architect unknown, c.1872-1892 depending on the historic resource. This is the sole Macondray Lane survivor of the 1906 fire—a very simple rectangular plan building with baroque garlands of plaster draped across each of its two front doors. One source suggests that this building was pre-built and shipped around the 'Horn.' Its second owner, Cadenasso (resident from 1908-1918) was a major California landscape painter and taught in the art department at Mills College in Oakland.'
Keywords: flat, unit, cottage
Property Type
- Apartment
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Non Smoking Only
Kitchen & Dining
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Cooking Utensils
Amenities
- Wood Fireplace
- Towels Provided
- Clothes Dryer
- Linens Provided
Entertainment
- DVD Player
- Satellite / Cable
- Books
- Stereo
- CD Player
Communications
- Wireless Internet
- Telephone
Pool & Spa
- Jetted Tub
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
Location & View
- Car Not Necessary
Activities
- ATM/Bank
- Groceries
- Antiquing
- Sight Seeing
- Shopping
- Sailing
- Sound/Bay Fishing
- Pier Fishing
- Wind-Surfing
- Cycling
- Walking
- Cinemas
- Restaurants
- Museums
- Churches
- Live Theater
- Bird Watching
- Boating
- Zoo
- Library
- Marina
Reviews
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Unique, Charming Apartment
Unique, Charming Apartment
- Guest Ed
- Date of stay 08/13/12
- Review Submitted 11/25/12
Staying at the flat on Macondray Lane was a remarkable experience, satisfying in every way. It's in a great location convenient to public transportation, close to wonderful markets if you want to cook, and close to great restaurants if you don't. We knew that the photos of the view and the interior were too good to be true, but, in fact, they don't do the place justice. How can you photograph the charm of an apartment that has all the personal touches of years of living well? It felt like a home that a friend had graciously allowed us to use for a little while. Some days we didn't go out as much as we intended because it was all so charming and the view so spectacular. It was just too easy to have another cup of coffee, another glass of wine, read another chapter. The only downside could be the stairs, which might be an issue for mobility-challenged folks, but we can't imagine staying anywhere else in San Francisco. The owners clearly care deeply for this family treasure, so if you chose to stay in the flat please be kind to it and treat it with respect.Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
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a home away from home
a home away from home
- Guest Patty
- Date of stay 09/14/12
- Review Submitted 11/12/12
This home away from home is truly wonderful! I can't imagine finding another place in San Francisco that would suit me better and I enjoyed every moment of my three week stay. The flat is very well-appointed and the décor is unique and charming. When spending a peaceful day at home reading on the roof deck I enjoyed watching the antics of the wild parrots, but most days I took advantage of the apartment's great location and explored the city. So many of San Francisco's best attractions are within walking distance and returning to the gardens of Macondray Lane and the comforts of home at the end of the day was a joy. I previously stayed at this flat in springtime, when the lane was a-bloom, and again this fall, when warm, leisurely days lingered and sunrises and sunsets were quite magical viewed from the roof deck. During my sojourn I invited friends and family to drop by and all agreed that the accommodation provided and the special atmosphere of the place were ideal for a great visit. In addition, I found the owners very helpful and responsive to requests and needs. If I was lucky enough to live in San Francisco, this flat would be where I’d want to hang my hat! Favourite walks starting at Macondray Lane led me to Union Street for shopping; the Cable Car Museum en route to Nob Hill; and Union Square, where I recommend visiting the shop on Maiden Lane designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Nearby North Beach highlights include great restaurants; Grant Avenue boutiques and bakeries; and City Lights Bookstore, which is open till midnight! One day I trekked up to Coit Tower from the end of Grant Avenue and down the steps on the other side of Telegraph Hill, through beautiful residential gardens. This was a bit of a hike but worth doing, especially if you follow it up with a delicious meal at a local North Beach eatery. Try Trattoria Contadina, just down the street from the flat, and you will have enjoyed another good day in San Francisco.Recommended for: Girls getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.
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even better in person
even better in person
- Guest bizzie2
- Date of stay 08/19/12
- Review Submitted 08/27/12
Our 12 yr old daughter wanted to move here! We had such a fantastic visit being to centrally located and easy to hop on either cable car. (Buy a multi day cable car pass at the ACE hardware on Polk.) And always made time to have down time at the flat as it is so cozy. If we visit SF in near future - we would make date fit availability of this flat. The pizza on Polk St, Gioia, fantastic. Ate at Luella + Frastcati - both around the corner. Liked Luella better and rec. it. Can't say enough nice things about this place. This was our first VRBO and we're now converts.Recommended for: Girls getaway, sightseeing, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.
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Magical
Magical
- Guest Anonymous
- Date of stay 04/01/11
- Review Submitted 04/19/11
Our grandson describes Macondary Lane as magical and it has long been one of our favorite walks despite the climb to get to it. The flat is exactly as described, quirky in some ways with interesting detail not the least of which are the paintings and photographs of the very successful owners. This is a home more than it is a rental and it reflects that. The views are spectacular. Sadly if you have any mobility issues this would not be the place for you. You cannot avoid the hills getting to it and there are steps getting into the flat as well as to the bedroom. I can't wait to return which I hope will be soon. Nothing better than curled up reading the author's books in his own home. I had a wonderful stay.Recommended for: Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
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Charming house on a tree-lined laneway in the heart of San Francisco.
Charming house on a tree-lined laneway in the heart of San Francisco.
- Guest Ruth
- Date of stay 04/04/11
- Review Submitted 04/04/11
This cozy house overlooks the Bay, and is conveniently close to public transportation. We often walked to North Beach and down to Union Square. The house is filled with good books and cozy spaces including a deck off the captain's loft bedroom.Recommended for: Age 55+.
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A writer's retreat.
A writer's retreat.
- Guest clay
- Date of stay 10/17/10
- Review Submitted 03/29/11
If you are looking for an excellent place to spend 2 weeks in San Francisco, the house at Macondray Lane is the place for you. Perched on the north face of Russian Hill with excellent views of the bay, Alcatraz and North Beach, this place takes you to those golden days of early San Francisco. You are surrounded by foliage that turns the neighborhood into a quaint treehouse atmosphere. There are excellent restuarants and shopping just blocks away down the hill in North Beach. The property was clean and well maintained and the pictures and descriptions in the listing were very accurate. The owners were very helpful with any questions and concerns I had which were very few. However, if you rent this place you might make the same decision as Mary Singleton in Tales of the City, and not return home. I will definitely consider this place on any future trips to this city by the bay.Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
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Magical!
Magical!
- Guest Maggie
- Date of stay 04/01/10
- Review Submitted 03/27/11
This flat is such a jewel... My husband and I have stayed there twice, absolutely love it, and it's become our favorite place in San Francisco. Once you enter the walking path that is Macondray Lane it's as if you've stepped into another world, where all the hustle and bustle of the city drops away. The flat itself is very cozy and quiet, and the view of the city and bay is breathtaking from both the living room and roof top patio. Best place in the world to sip a glass of wine and watch all the ships and boats on the bay. A wonderful neighborhood, with just a short walk to many fantastic shops and restaurants. Highly recommended!Recommended for: Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
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Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate 14 night min stay |
$985 | $3939 | ||||
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Discounts: 60 nights or more $131 nightly |
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Additional information about rental rates
Please inquire only if you are able to stay at least two weeks -- we have a 14 Day minimum stay requirement. For stays under 30 days, the city of San Francisco imposes a 15.5% Tourist tax, which will be reflected in the quote we send to you. Thanks for your interest!
Fees:
- Refundable Damage Deposit: $200
- Tax Rate 15%
Cancellation policy:
The Rental Agreement, which will of course be filled out with appropriate dates and amounts, also lists the agreements you make when you sign the contract.
If you have any questions please contact the owner.
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
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Manager info
Year Purchased: 1983
About: Sands Hall is the daughter of Barbara and Oakley Hall (owners of the flat). The flat was the home of her parents until the death of her father, novelist, Oakley Hall. She and her sister Brett have taken over the care and feeding of the flat and enjoy welcoming tenants who enjoy its unique charms.
Why Russian Hill:
Our parents lived in the flat between 1983 and 2008, until our father's death. We love finding tenants who appreciate the unique and warm character of the place. It has a definite bohemian quality, and though it has many amenities, it is not at all like a condo or hotel room. It contains many books and quirky works of art belonging to and sometimes created by our parents. For these and other reasons, we prefer to rent to those who can stay at least two weeks or longer.
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment:
One feels in the country rather than the city and the noise of the streets and city sounds are muffled in this sequestered lane. The views are spectacular. The house, built in 1850, has a warm charm and lovely furniture and decor.
Contact us
- Primary: (530) 913-1866 (California, USA)
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Macondray Lane
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Dining Room
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Tower Bedroom
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Den with Day/Trundle Bed
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View of the Bay
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View at Night from bedroom.
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Breakfast Room
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Living Room has views of the Bay
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Evening View from the roof deck: Coit Tower and the Bay Bridge
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Roof Deck
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Bathroom -beaded curtain leads to dressing room w/ W/D, Whirlpool Tub & closet.
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View from Livingroom at dawn.
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This listing was first published here in 2010.
Date last modified - Friday, May 24, 2013
(530) 913-1866 (California, USA)