I had a great time staying in Nicole’s garden studio! Nicole is a great host who will respect your privacy but also be there to help whenever you need her. The studio is very comfortable and quiet and makes for a pleasant stay. I can say that it feels even more spacious than it looks on the pictures! I was in SF for a research fellowship so being able to relax and sleep well was my top priority and the studio gave me exactly the kind of peace and quiet I needed. It is very safe as you enter through the garage and there are 2 locked doors between the street and the garden where the cottage is located. The layout inside the cottage makes best use of available space. Storage space is ample, internet is fast, the bed is very comfortable and the shower is spacious. In general, even if I find it hard to list all the positives (because there are too many of them), I can’t think of anything negative about the studio.
The neighborhood is up and coming retaining its working-class roots so it’s worth walking around and exploring it. Transportation is very convenient! The T train will take you to Mission Bay in 15 minutes and to the city center in 30 minutes or less and it has regular and punctual service. Busses are very convenient too. If you re into cycling you can easily ride to Mission Bay and all the way to Embarcadero/ the waterfront of SF. The route is very flat and cycling infrastructure is good. Nicole will help you find a safe place to store your bike. If you’re really into exploring by bike it takes around 1 hour to reach the Marin Headlands and enjoy the awesome nature there!
Unfortunately, I had to end my stay sooner due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even during the pandemic though the studio helped me stay safe and maintain the necessary social distancing. Nicole was very helpful and understanding when it came to the cancelation procedure. I guess the fact that it took a global pandemic to make me leave says a lot about the studio and how good it is! Nicole I’m sorry I had to leave sooner. Hopefully next time I’ll be back we’ll get to talk more about motorcycles and Napa Valley wineries!