Location: San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA (High on Potrero Hill in the Heart of San Francisco)
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 1-6)
This spacious, three-story, architect-designed and elegantly-furnished house is my private home when I am not traveling. It sits high on the north slope of Potrero Hill in the heart of San Francisco and is the perfect short-term residence for professionals, corporate executives, or vacationers.
There are sweeping views of downtown San Francisco and the Bay from the living room, kitchen, both bedrooms, and from the balconies off the living room & master bedroom (I was standing on the master bedroom balcony when I took the photo to the left). The living room has a dramatic marble fireplace, an award-winning staircase, antique Japanese furniture, original art & sculpture, a Steinway grand piano, a high-end stereo sound system, and a soaring cathedral ceiling with sunlight streaming through the two double French doors, the huge skylight, and the many windows.
The master bedroom suite, a private sanctuary that occupies the entire third floor, has a "window wall" framing a magnificent view of downtown San Francisco and the Bay Bridge (see photo), a sitting area with its own fireplace, antique Japanese tansu chests, a balcony, separate dressing room, Japanese-inspired bath, and a private redwood deck that floats among the bamboo and Japanese maples in the rear garden. There is also cable TV, offering many free premium movie channels, and a DVD.
The second bedroom is smaller but equally elegant with a queen bed, cable TV, and its own large bathroom. There is also a leather couch in the living room which opens into a comfortable queen-size sofa bed.
A guest computer with broadband Internet access is provided, and there is broadband WiFi throughout the house.
As you have probably already gathered, I am rather fond of this home, but my opinion is shared by others. Previous guests have said "it is like staying in a miniature museum", "an architectural gem!", "one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen", "incredibly peaceful, a wonderful place to relax". A real estate professional who stayed for two weeks said, in his review on one web site, "I have rented many houses in various locations throughout the years. Bill's house was the best ever."
While I appreciate the compliments, the point is that this home is more than just a place to store your suitcase while you are visiting San Francisco. It will be part of the experience itself. If you or a member of your family plays the piano, there is a Steinway grand in the living room. If you are a history buff or armchair explorer, you will find one of California's finest private collections of books on Alaska and Russian America. If you are more into literature, there is an extensive collection of books by and about Mark Twain. If you appreciate art, the walls are covered with original works by contemporary artists, none of whom are particularly famous -- yet -- but all of whom are extremely talented and, I am fortunate to say, personal friends of mine. Scattered throughout the house you will discover Eskimo and Native American art and artifacts, sculpture, antique Japanese tansu chests, Persian carpets, a high-end music system, and many other treats.
Located high on Potrero Hill, My house offers incredible views of San Francisco's famous skyline and is just minutes to downtown, Moscone Center, Union Square and the SF Giants' ballpark. You can reach any other part of the City (Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, etc.) in 20 minutes or less. San Francisco Airport is 15 minutes away, Oakland and Berkeley are 30 minutes away, Stanford University and Silicon Valley are 30-45 minutes away, Sausalito, Tiburon, and Mill Valley are 30 minutes away. Napa Valley and the wine country are just an hour away, Carmel and Monterey are 2 hours away, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park are 4 hours away. A car is useful, but public transportation is available just one block away.
Potrero Hill enjoys the sunniest and warmest weather in San Francisco, and this safe, quiet, upscale neighborhood is a delight. Several of San Francisco's best restaurants are within walking distance, including French, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Middle Eastern, and one of the best pizzeria's in town. Farley's, whose motto is 'friends don't let friends drink Starbucks', is a classic 1950s coffee shop that draws customers from all over the city. If you like beer, the Anchor Steam Brewery tasting room is four blocks down the hill. Finally, one of the best features of my neighborhood is that it is one of the very few places in San Francisco where there is never have a parking problem for you or your guests! Parking spaces abound and no permit is required.
To make certain that your stay is trouble-free, my house manager lives in a small cottage at the rear of the garden and is ready to assist you as necessary.
In my humble opinion, this is the best accommodation value in San Francisco. So why stay in a pricey San Francisco hotel or sterile corporate apartment when my house offers twice as much for half the price? Deal directly with the owner, not an agent or property manager. This is one of the best accommodation values in San Francisco! When you compare my rates with a hotel, remember to add both the 14% San Francisco hotel tax and the 8.5% sales tax to the rate quoted by the hotel. Many San Francisco visitors are shocked by their final bill. My rates include all taxes.
NOTE: Maximum of six persons. Minimum stay of three days. Please check my availability calendar before making an inquiry. Because I travel so much, email is my preferred method of contact.
LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT: Reservations made within one month of arrival date are eligible for a "last minute" discount.
See Availability Calendar for available dates...
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking: Unlike the rest of San Francisco, there is always plenty of parking in my neighborhood.
- Wood Fireplace (2)
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: Lots of premium movie channels.
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: Many CDs of every music genre. Particularly large collection of classical and musicals.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Gas stove
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony (3)
- View/Location
- Monument View: Panoramic view of downtown San Francisco, the San Francisco Bay, and the East Bay hills.
- Communications
- Telephone (2)
- Computer
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Elegantly furnished with original art & antiques, Steinway grand piano, Persian carpets, 2 fireplaces (living room & master bedroom), Spacious Master Bedroom with panoramic view of downtown San Francisco, Large library of San Francisco guide books, All cooking utensils provided, Washer/Dryer, Absolutely NO SMOKING inside the house, Ask about children
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: Eight years old
- Smoking Not Allowed: Absolutely forbidden!
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Biking
- Hiking
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Other Activities
- The infinite variety of activities available in and around San Francisco defies description, If you can imagine it, you can probably do it in our great city
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Jan 05-Apr 30: $235/nt | $1400/wk (1-2 guests) | $265/nt .. $1590/wk (3-4 guests)
May 01-Oct 31: $240/nt | $1440/wk (1-2 guests) | $290/nt .. $1740/wk (3-4 guests)
Nov 01-Dec 21: $235/nt | $1400/wk (1-2 guests) | $265/nt .. $1590/wk (3-4 guests)
Dec 22-Jan 04: $275/nt | $1650/wk (1-2 guests) | $315/nt .. $1890/wk (3-4 guests)
"Last Minute" discount for reservations made within one month of arrival date.
No Pets & No Smoking in house. Minimum age for children is 8 years old.
Cleaning Fee: $150/per stay plus $100/week for stays of more than one week
Minimum 3 nights. Maximum of 6 guests. Deposit required to confirm reservation.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- View of San Francisco Skyline from the Master Bedroom - San Francisco, CA - California Vacation Lodging Rentals
- Living Room - San Francisco, CA - California Vacation Lodging Rentals
- Entertainment Center in the Master Bedroom - San Francisco, CA - California Vacation Lodging Rentals
- Steinway Grand Piano in the Living Room
- Staircase to the Master Bedroom
- View of Living Room from the Staircase
- Dining Room
- Dining Room
- Dining Room
- Kitchen (newly remodeled July, 2008)
- Master Bedroom
- Master Bathroom
- Second Bedroom
- Second Bathroom (newly remodeled August, 2008)
- Second Bathroom (newly remodeled August, 2008)
- Front of House
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #4975
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This listing was first published here in 2000.
Date last modified - November 04, 2008