--Jacqueline, FRANCE (August 15-23, 2011)
Thank you! We really enjoyed our stay. Best Sushi at Tao Yin (also has great Chinese) 3515 20th Street, San Francisco. TaoYinRestaurantSF.com. Delivers!
--Megan and Tritia, Southern California (August 30-Sept.8, 2011)
We have had a wonderful time in SF and this apartment was the perfect place to call home, albeit briefly. The art, the colors and the design really gave this place a cool, eclectic feel. Dan gave us great recommendations like Burma Superstar and Front Porch. In the Mission, we loved the breakfast joints like St. Francis Fountain, Atlas Cafe, and San Jalisco. Also we enthusiastically recommend Philz Coffee if you are a caffeine fan. There's tons of great stuff in SF that we loved like Alcatraz and Golden Gate Park (Conservatory of Flowers, De Young Museum) and Ocean Beach. But if you're short of time, skip the tourist traps like Fisherman's Wharf--really not that great. If you're seeking adventure, you can do what we did and drive to Yosemite for some great hikes and spectacular views (4.5 hours each way). What we regreat is not spending enough time in the Mission. Don't make the same mistake! Cheers,
--Abhishek and Jody, Somervile, MA (September 15-21, 2011)
"Garden Retreat"-------Perfect!
Your place has been a real retreat for us during our two weeks here. So restful and quiet.....perfect decor! So convenient for us to be just around the corner from our daughter and family.
Your family has been so gracious and hospitable--loved hearing the pitter-patter of little feet!
The Mission is such a fun place.....super walk to Bernal Heights, Twin Peaks....diverse and yummy food, El Metate, La Palma, Mission Chinese, Tartine, Pizzeria Delphina, Foreign Cinema, Dynamo Doughnuts, Arizmendi Bakery, etc.....
We've had a lovely time and hope to come here again.
--Jeff and Cassy, Atlanta GA (October 12-26, 2011
Things to do:
--eat breakfast at Atlas Cafe, Dynamo Donuts and Tartine
--see BATS Improv at Fort Mason
--take a guided tour of Muir Woods
--get cheap, delicious dinner at El Metate and Mission Chinese
--people watch at Golden Gate Park
--look at all the murals in the Mission
--talk with ladies at the corner stores
--order a small #11 with cream/sugar at Philz Coffee
Things to don't:
--assume you can walk it......ow
--try to hail a cab on Halloween weekend
--just dress for the day's high temperature (it gets cold at night!)
Thank you!
--Ben and Adrienne, Greenville, SC (October 27-30, 2011)
We had such a great time in SF for our HONEYMOON(!), and a lot of the awesomeness was thanks to this place. Thanks to Dan and family for creating such a peaceful, cozy and private launching pad for our SF adventures!
Great things we did and ate:
--Breakfast at Atlas Cafe
--personal guided hike at Muir Woods (www.muirwoodstour.com--Tom is great!)
--Gracias Madre--vegan Mexican food--you won't believe it's vegan! (Mission Street)
--Big Lantern--regular and veggie dim sum (16th Street)
Things we could have skipped:
--Fisherman's Wharf
--Millennium Restaurant--over-priced and unimaginative food.
Thanks again for making our trip so comfortable and special! We will definitely be back here as soon as possible! xo,
--Laura and Richard, Houston TX (October 30-November 4, 2011)
We had a wonderful time at the apartment and in San Francisco. The place is great and Dan is an amazing host!!! Thanks for everything and hugs and kisses from BRAZIL!
--Best, Simone, Brazil (March 31--April 3, 2012)
Absolutely wonderful stay @ the Garden Retreat. Great neighborhood, great food; great vibe. El Metate is a must, just around the corner on Bryant [Street]. Taco Truck @ Harrison/22nd also a must. We'll be back!
--Sandra/Nick and Family, Merrickville Ont. CANADA (April 6-10, 2012)
Wish I could have stayed longer--this is truly a garden retreat: comfortable, convenient, and close to everything. Thanks! --T.M., Wellington, FL (May 19-24, 2012)
It was wonderful to stay here; I just wish it could have been longer.
Thank you for a clean, pretty, relaxing and convenient place for me to stay.
I hope to return!
Warm regards--Shalom--Peace--Jackie E., NYC (Sept.3-5, 2012)
We loved this little G.H. here and had a fantastic time!
For a nice night out we'd recommend a drink at Asiento (Bryant St. and 21st St., 2 blocks from the apartment) then keep going up to Mariposa St, then turn right until to you get to the Slow Club (Mariposa St. between Hampshire/York)--yum!
--Danielle & Paul, Brighton UK (Sept.8-11,2012)
8 yr. old, 15 yr old, Mom and Dad
Great time!
Bus 27 takes you downtown. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge!
Don't miss the DeYoung. Skip the Vietnamese around the corner, but definitely have the Thai food-----> SO GOOD. Liberty Cafe in Bernal Heights is good too! Loved everything!
--Myssi and Family, Longmont, CO (Oct.10-17, 2012)
This was the best birthday weekend I've ever had! The apartment was PERFECT, a better deal and location than we would have gotten anywhere else. I will recommend it to anyone coming to SF!
The Mission is great; we spent hours walking around!
You Should:
--eat bourbon&cornflakes ice-cream @ Humphry Slowcombe
--get breakfast @ St. Francis Fountain
--eat fancy brunch @ Foreign Cinema
--drink the best coffee of your life @ Philz!
--rent a car and drive to Sonoma!
Thank you so much! --S.andA., Nashville, TN (Nov.7-12, 2012)
We had a wonderful time! We loved the neighborhood and having so many places so close by. The apartment is perfect--neat, clean, and the most comfortable bed ever!
I can't say enough good things about Dan. Your hospitality was amazing! The tips and information on the neighborhood were very helpful. I greatly appreciate that you were able to accommodate an extra night. You helped make my first (but not last!) trip to San Francisco most awesome!
The people here are all so kind. On our second night here I managed to drop one of my contact lenses down the sink. I panicked because I didn't bring any extras and forgot my glasses. Well, I found a place (Oasis Vision) that was amazing! Paul at Oasis Vision was able to hook me up with free trial samples of my exact lenses! He saved my trip and helped me save a lot of $$! I love it here! Thanks again for everything--
--Tracy, St. Petersburg, FL (Nov.17-21, 2012)
We had a great time & are totally exhaused back home. Your place was the perfect get away. We caught the Muni & Bart everywhere.
Went to:
Salumari Deli
El Metate
Mission Chinese
Humphry Slocombe
Dynamo Donuts
Picked up food @ Rainbow Coop
Giants Game
Napa Valley Wine Tour
De Young Museum ( The Girl with the Pearl Earing )
The Haight
The Cliff House & the Beach
Ferry Building
Macy's
Nordstrom's
Great little place you have & enjoyed the little Backyard.
Also Murals in the Neighborhood were incredible.
Highly recommend your place & hope to return sometime.
Thanks so much,
--Mike & Carole, Rio Rancho, NM (April 7-11, 2013)
We are having a lovely time. The place is clean, comfortable and a very convenient location.
Thank you for your detailed instructions that were very helpful.
--Z.R., LA, CA (April 12-14, 2013)
Even before we got here, Dan was making sure we had the best stay possible. What a wonderful visit it has been!
Top Spots on our list:
Flour and Water--amazing homemade pasta!
Philz Coffee--we had to stop 3 times in 4 days!
Trick Dog--new bar with a cool feel
La Taqueria--delicious authentic tacos
Your place is beautiful and we felt so at home in this little oasis away from the city. Thank you for all of your suggestions! We hope to be back someday! Now, on to Sonoma!
P.S. Not in the Mission, but if you feel up to it, bike the Golden Gate Bridge--AMAZING!!
--Amanda and Jonathan, Atlanta, GA (April 16-20, 2013)
Very clean and comfy.
Love the patio to enjoy wine or some delicious Philz coffee.
Wish we could have stayed longer!
--Patrick and Elizabeth, Cambridge, MA (April 20-23, 2013)
This would also make a great vacation rental for someone who wants to stay in the real parts of San Francisco as opposed to the tourist centers.