Patti's house is incredible: a front that faces onto sunny, lively Dolores Street and a back (where the cabana is located) that is serene, secluded and shady. By day, my family of two adults and one seven-year-old boy enjoyed the many features of the neighbourhood, like going down the slides at Mission Dolores Park, trying every flavour at Bi-Rite Creamery and exploring Mission Dolores, the oldest building in San Francisco. In the evenings, we brought sandwiches home from Bi-Rite Market and ate in the tropical oasis of the backyard, then had a long soak in the hot tub while watching the stars come out before snuggling into cozy, comfortable and very quiet bedrooms. The best of both worlds in the heart of the Mission.