And thanks, easytraveler, for including me in such honored company. I enjoy your input as well.

What is a nice spot for coffee (ambience is as important as the coffee) and snacks in the city, somewhere in the neighborhood of Presidio park...or if there is another neighborhood not too far that is worth a visit then we could drive there stop for coffee...any suggestions?

There is a cafe in the Union square if you will be in that area, not worth a special visit, but if you are there they have (had?) sample plate with pieces of different cakes, ohhh...

Cliff house - not the restaurant, but the bar and cafee upper part - great views!

For quality of coffee, Ritual Coffeehouse on Valencia near 22nd Street. In the middle of the happening Mission/Valencia scene, but most important, the coffee is superb. Mostly single-harvest lots bought from smaller estates all over the world. Buy a few pounds to take home, and enjoy the espresso while you're there. I recommend having something called a "Gibralter" - it's a latte but for grown up coffee addicts.

For ambiance, I've always liked the Peets branch on Market near Noe, in the Castro. Nice high-ceilinged space with window counters to watch the street scene go by. Always busy but friendly, it reminds me so much of similar places in various European cities. This would be an easy stop if you are taking the F-line streetcar.

There is a place to get coffee and snacks in Chrissy Field right near Fort Point--it's the Warming Hut and you can't get a much better view with your coffee than the Bridge, Angel Island, the SF skyline and Alcatraz!!

SAB, that was my first choice, but guess what? the Crissy Field website says the warming hut was burned down in a fire in Jan 2007. It will reopen in July. What a pity!

Sorry about that, since the dog has been sick its been awhile since we walked all the way to the hut.

There is another cafe in the Crissy Field Center
http://www.parksconservancy.org/our_...issy/visit.asp