When I looked for lodging for the annual archaeology conference, held in S.F. this year, I decided to add on a few days and stay at place that would be in an area where also the locals live. Jason’s AirBnB ad for a guest room caught my eye and the location and setting ended up perfect for my needs. Its location, in the Mission District with tons of grocery shops, boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants, was within walking distance to the conference center at Union Square, and conveniently accessible via the public transportation system---BART, located just 3 blocks from the house.

Before the trip Jason sent me valuable information on how to get from Oakland Airport to the Mission District and thanks to the BART Connector, my trip using this public transportation system was only $10.15 (compared to a taxi ride that may have been $60).

At my arrival, later in the evening, Jason was there to welcome me and showed me my guest room, the shared bathroom, and introduced me to another guest who was using the common kitchen. In the kitchen I was especially delighted when Jason showed me the Delonghi espresso maker and how to use it to make my own cappuccino. I certainly used it more than once to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed cappuccino with delicious pastry from La Tartine, a wonderful nearby French bakery that Jason told me about.

My guestroom, facing the front of the building, was quite spacious, very tastefully furnished and decorated, but not cluttered. My accommodation had everything that I needed to be comfortable, including a large glass table that functioned as my desk for my office away from home for my week’s stay in S.F. The queen-sized bed, with a mattress, that also had a plush mattress topper, ensured a comfortable and restful sleep each night.

The locations of the nearby grocery stores were also extremely convenient, with Rainbow Grocery, a cooperative with mostly organic products only a couple of blocks away and Trader Joe’s a few more blocks further. Jason encouraged me to also try the nearby eateries that have very affordable and great meals. I quickly found my favorite place for dinner, “Truly Mediterranean,” a small and convenient take-out option for Middle Eastern street food, not to far away.

The other guests, mostly in town for business or scholarly studies, were very mindful and considerate of the others, especially in sharing the common areas and being quite during rest hours. It was in the kitchen, and over tasty cups of brewed cappuccino, that I had nice conversations with the other guests and learning more about San Francisco and places to see.

Jason just added to the comfort of the guests in having another bathroom, with a toilet/bathtub/shower and quite luxurious, installed on the first floor. This will certainly ease any guest early morning “rush hour” traffic to the bathroom.