I would highly recommend Joan’s studio for staying in San Francisco- the place was perfect and an absolute delight. The location is ideal – Bernal Heights and Precita Park are very safe neighborhoods, and the Mission, Noe Valley, and the Castro are a short walk. The view from the deck of the Mission, Twin Peaks and downtown is spectacular, and the garden is very lush, relaxing, and private. The place itself is an absolute gem- very clean, tidy, and well-appointed. The bed is comfortable, and the bathroom is luxurious, with very nice linens and towels. The internet is fine, not blazingly fast, but I had no issues with email, streaming, or using the TV. Street parking was never a problem, though mind the street cleaning rules. There is a coin-op laundry a few blocks away (there is no machine in the apartment), or a laundry service is a good (if more expensive) option for longer stays. Joan was very responsive to a few questions I had and was very accommodating and welcoming; her booklet of suggestions of neighborhood places to visit is first-rate!
But, really, what makes this place so special is the deck and the garden- in the spring there are calla lilies, bird-of-paradise lilies, wisteria, rosemary, and much more- truly idyllic. You just have to share the garden with finches and hummingbirds.
I would highly recommend this apartment- it made my move to San Francisco a real pleasure and staying here is a great way to start off in a new city, especially one as beautiful as San Francisco.