Maria has a beautiful, comfortable apartment facing the back in a nice building in the Castro. It was a wonderful residential location just two blocks from the bustling Castro nightlife. Maria has set up the apartment wonderfully for guests, and was very helpful when I needed it - there's a washer & dryer in the building, and she directed me to a couple different shops. Being in the back you get the sunrise in the morning but it's very quiet - I never heard the bus line that runs along Castro St, and there are no complaints about neighbors in any direction.

The neighborhood is very nice and safe but there is plenty going on and you're less than two blocks away from a coffee shop and several bars and restaurants, and 3 blocks away from public transit that will get you anywhere you need to go - it's only 20-25 minutes on the F tram all the way to the Ferry building downtown. It's also either a 6-8 block walk or a very short bus ride down 16th or 18th street to the Mission, and a very quick trip up Castro St to the more yuppyish Noe Valley area.

I can't imagine a better arrangement for truly wanting to discover SF's many neighborhoods. Thanks Maria - you'll be hearing from me again!!