Overall, this is a very cute and comfortable studio! I am an SD native, and ended up staying at Gail and Beth’s studio for a total of 38 days due to construction at my current place of residence. I needed someplace nearby that I could move into quickly at a last minute’s notice, and Gail and Beth were so responsive and accommodating! If my house ever decides to fall apart again, I would come back here in a heartbeat!
Here’s my take on the place as a whole:
The house is just south of Northpark, in one of the cutest and oldest neighborhoods in SD. Talk about a prime location: super close to some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, bars and eateries in the city; very close to the Balboa Golf course, Balboa Park, and the Zoo; and close to all of the major freeways that can get you just about anywhere in SD. The unit itself is in what used to be the basement of the house, but it still has decently sized windows that look onto the patio area and that you can open up and get some fresh air if you wanted to. It is a studio - about the size of a large college dorm room - but comfortable enough for just myself there. It would definitely be cramped if you had more than one person in your party. Though, the owners have other units within the same house that are larger. It is an older house that has been newly renovated - that said, the walls are still thin, and I could hear the people above me walking/using the appliances, but it didn’t really bother me too much. There was also a neighbor that was loud during the day with music and a wood-shop/sawmill, but at night it was very quiet and you can get a good night’s sleep. Overall, a quaint place!
The space was clean, except for a few minor details that the owners fixed/replaced immediately upon notification from myself. The bed was comfy, though I did bring my own pillows for comfort. The appliances were AMAZING and in good shape - the owners really try to preserve the integrity of their place. The shower was my absolute favorite part! 😍
The kitchen is definitely small, and there is a strange microwave/convection oven combo unit (not my personal preference), but was fine enough to regularly cook a decent meal for just myself there. I should clarify to say that I did end up bringing some of my own utensils, cookware and cooking spices/oils over from my house, as what was provided was limited for the amount of cooking that I do.
The only real disclaimer I should note has to do with the parking. The alleyway leading into the back is very narrow, and a bit sketch (and dark at night) for a single woman like myself, though the unit itself has decent lighting and I never felt unsafe (you are in a good neighborhood). There are five spots available in the back, but they are compact-sized at most. One of them is intended more for a motorcycle or a smart car than a full sized vehicle. I misjudged the size of the parking and the alleyway the first go-around and ended up scratching the back of my sedan. Be careful if you are parking back there with a vehicle larger than the sedan I’ve got! But that is really the only option for parking that you’ve got - the back garage is a hassle to get in and out of, so I never used it, and forget about trying to find street parking, it is always jammed packed. That said, there was always a spot to park in the back.
No place is perfect, but this was great for me and my needs, and would be perfect for anyone looking for both short term and long term stays here in sunny San Diego. Thank you Beth and Gail for a great stay!