You can rent a house, or you can a rent home. If you rent Gina's place, you've got yourself a home. Not only well-stocked from hangers to storage containers, to flashlights, and a kitchen you can actually cook in, but with paintings on the walls, sculptures and vases in glass cabinets, and beautiful mid-century furniture, you really feel like you're in someone's home, not just a house.
The location isn't your stereotypical image of San Francisco. It's almost a suburbia within the city with a little bit of rural to it. The house sits on a quiet cul-de-sac with the most stunning view of the ocean from the back deck and the street. It's a steep walk down to a few shops, or a steep walk up to Twin Peaks for some grand views from the bay to the ocean. There's also La Honda, a little green space, at the bottom of the block which has some trails even further down the hill.
Indoors, you'll find everything you need. The garage is super convenient and rare for San Francisco. If you have more than one vehicle, or an enormous one that doesn't fit, there's plenty of street parking.
Being an original mid-century house with originals windows, climate control can be challenging. The windows with the beautiful views can be a heater when the sun is shining, but it also gets chilly at night. There is heating, and an additional little space heater, but it's still tough on winter nights.
With the old windows, you will hear people outside... and it sounds like they're inside. Anyone speaking on the block sounds like they're in the living room with you. But honestly, there's seldom anyone out there! It's crazy quiet--few cars, and the only people on the street are those that live there. Even though two of the bedrooms are at the front of the house, there's seldom any street noise at night to wake you up, but some people may be ultra-sensitive.
Staying here is like being at your friend's house--the friend that grew up and while she wanted to be in the city, didn't want to be in the middle of it. If you stay here, you'll still be only a short drive to the Mission, Castro, or anywhere in the city, but be able to enjoy a quiet place for your family. It's the perfect place to climb to Twin Peaks to watch the sun rise over the bay and stand on the deck to watch the sun set over the ocean.