Polk and VanNess run parallel to each other. What is the cross street (makes a HUGE difference).

Oops, make that Post, not Polk. Sorry :(

Someone told me it's 'just an okay area, not a good location, nor convenient to anything'

I found a beautiful luxury condo in Twin Peaks - how is that as a location? It is supposedly on the Muni Line?

Safe, but an un-exciting area. As the name implies, it is in a very steep section of the city. You won't be walking to anyplace interesting. If the condo has views - they will probably be great if it is not foggy - which it probably won't be in October. I have an old Muni map, and it looks like it does not have very good public transportation. You'll have at least 1 line change for going almost anywhere tourists want to go.

If I were a tourist, I would not stay there. We lived just "below" Twin Peaks in the Noe Valley for 7 years.

Stu Dudley

4Stu, thanks. It doesn't sound too convenient. I found 4 more private rentals -
1.In the Castro between Church and 16th St;
2. Deboce Triangle between market, Duboce & Castro Street,
3. Noe Vally one block east of Church Street
4. I'm not sure of the area but it is bounded by Sutter, Pierce, Post and Steiner Streets. I'm getting too much info!

In the Castro an area that I would want to stay in?

What street is the Noe Valley property on? If it's anywhere close to 24th Street, that's where I would stay, although the Duboce Triangle and Castro locations would be fine, too.

I lived ON Twin Peaks before I moved to Noe Valley. I loved it as a place to live, but I also wouldn't want to stay there as a tourist. I can't "place" the block where the 4th property is.

>>1.In the Castro between Church and 16th St;<<

Those streets are perpendicular to each other - so I don't know what "between" is. If it's on the corner of Castro & 16th, then that's a very good location for walking to shops, restaurants, activities - as long as you know that it is close to "ground zero" of the "gay" area of The City. Great transportation location.

Like SF mentioned - "where" east Church in the Noe Valley (what "numbered" street). Most of Church is very nice - and directly on the J-Church line - which takes you downtown very quickly. I took the J-Church to work most every day. Lots of restaurants/cafes/shops all along Church. From Duboce to about 18th, you're sorta in the gay/Castro area where it's quite "active" . From 18th to around 20th, it is a little more sedate. On Dolores Park (between 18th & 20th) lots of people spend Sundays just sunning in the park, picnicking, enjoying a lazy day, ice cream at Bi-Rite, playing tennis, cafe lingering, etc. 20th to 22rd is residential. From 22nd to 30th you get to the Noe Valley where there are lots of cafes, restaurants, shops on 30th & 24th, some very nice restaurnats - my favorite area of San Francisco.

Market/Deboce/Castro is a very nice area with some really interesting tree-shaded streets and some Victorian houses - but still on the fringes of the Castro/Gay area - if that is a factor for you. I really like that region. Good transportation.

Stu Dudley

>> Noe Valley where there are lots of cafes, restaurants, shops on 30th & 24th, <,

On Church & 24th.

Stu Dudley

Susie~I'd say look closer @ the rental # 1 & 3.

Hi Stu & SF:

So far, the only reply I've received was for the condo in the Mission District, 1/2 block from Dolores Park on 20th Street. What do you think of that location? I am waiting to hear from the other possible rentals.

Regarding #4 above, I found out it is 'close to Filmore" for whatever that tells you.

As far as the Castro, we have absolutely no problem being in a gay area - I only care about a safe, convenient to transit, clean area.

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to walk me thru this...

Another of the rentals just got back to me - it is located on Elizabeth Street around the corner from 24th Street in Noe Valley - is this good?

Again, many thanks!

susie, Elizabeth is a GREAT location!! Right in the heart of Noe Valley, which is a super neighborhood (if you look on the map, I used to live on Sanchez St. between Day and 30th). I'd grab it if the actual rental looks good.

Elizabeth Street is a great location. You are a block off the main drag so noise will not be such an issue. The street car is very close and will transport you all over the city.(via various lines). 24th Street is a great neighborhood filled with restaurants and the like. You will be in close proximity to both the Mission and the Castro districts.

Church and 16th could be noisy.

sf7307~I lived on Duncan between Church & Sanchez.

I lived on Jersey between Castro & Diamond in the Noe valley.

If it is west of Douglass, there will be some hills involved, & a little farther from the J-Church line - but it's still a good location. Better than the others you've found. Look for my Noe Valley walk and also the Noe Valley stairway walk in this post.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049

Grab the Noe Valley place immediatly.

Stu Dudley

:( Stu, the owners got back to me to tell me the Noe Valley rental was unavailable - so I guess my decision it to reschedule my trip for another time when I would be able to stay in the Noe Valley area.

However, an owner did get back to me regarding their rental - it is on 20th Street between Dolores and Guerrero - on the J Church Muni Line. I am still awaiting replies from two others, the Deboce Triangle site and the one bordered by 18th & 20th & Church & Dolores. Should I jump on the rental on 20th between Dolores & Guerrero - or is it worth it to re-plan the trip for a time I could get a rental in Noe Valley? Thanks, thanks, thanks,
Sue

also, there is availability on 18th Street at Dolores Park?

>>and the one bordered by 18th & 20th & Church & Dolores.<<

That can't be - 100% of the area within this square is occupied by Dolores Park. Check your map. I'll assume it's close to this area.


The property above and the and 20th st property are both in good locations. It's on the fringe of the Mission district, but almost entirely residential until you get closer to Guerrero & to the east. We were there today getting a bi-rite ice cream (18th st). Both are too far away from the Noe Valley to walk there (Noe Valley) regularily (lots of hills). There are many restaurants in the Mission which are within walking distance of the Dolores places (no hills). The Mission is a little "scruftier" than the Noe Valley - but many "hipsters" might prefer it over the Noe Valley.

I would guess that most visitors would prefer the Noe Valley over the Dolores areas - but perhaps not 100%. The Noe Valley is a little more sedate than the Mission. On Sat night, the Mission is very active - much more so than the Noe Valley. We're going to a restaurant in the Mission this Sat night.

Stu Dudley

Hi Stu: I'm really disappointed about the Noe Valley rental. As far as the Mission being very active on a Saturday night - I don't think we'll be doing too much night-lifeing, because if we're up and out early, and out all day going, I'm thinking after a nice dinner somewhere, we'll be ready to kick back and relax for the next days outing.

In any event, if you want to see what I'm talking about, go to www.homeaway.com, and put in location #243418. For your own info, it's a really good site for renting directly from owners. My sister has used it many times with great success.

There are also a few nice looking rentals in Pacific Heights...

Here are some B&B listings in the Noe Valley

http://www.noevalleyvoice.com/2006/June/Gues.html

Stu Dudley

Stu - Like I keep hearing "You're the Best". Thank you so much. Actually, the Hidden Cottage was one of the Homeaway properties that I had checked, but was unavailable on the dates I would need. I hope I have better luck with the others.

Soon as it's a decent hour PST, I'll be calling them.

On the B&B list I sent you, I recall that some are really outside the Noe Valley area a bit. If you can send me the addresses of the ones you are intrested in, I can tell you if some are in better locations to others.

Stu Dudley

Stu, I checked a few of them and a number of them have no vacancies. I am still waiting to hear back from a few of the others. There is one at 1257 Guerrero Street near 24th Street with a vacancy, and also another I found located on 20th Street, between Dolores & Guerrero, looks like a block or so away from that park.

>>There is one at 1257 Guerrero Street near 24th Street with a vacancy,>>

That's an Ok area - but not really in the Noe Valley. The walk west up 24th or 25th from Guerrero to Dolores to the Noe Valley & the J-Church is up a VERY steep hill - but it's only 1 block. Then it is flat all the way west on 24th & a tad downhill on 25th. Mission St is just 2 blocks east where there is lots of public transportation - but it is all above ground and therefore not nearly as fast downtown as the J-Church (which is below ground just past Market St.)

>and also another I found located on 20th Street, between Dolores & Guerrero, looks like a block or so away from that park<<

That's off Dolores park - like the 20th st & 18th st properties you mentioned earlier. Long uphill walk to the Noe Valley - but close to restaurants/cafes etc in the Mission.

Stu Dudley

I think I would be more inclined toward the 20th Street property. You will be close to the Castro and in close proximity to some great places on Guerrero (Bi-Rite, Delfina,Tartine)

>>great places on Guerrero (Bi-Rite, Delfina,Tartine)<<


I think both Bi-Rite ice cream & Delfina are on 18th - around the corner from Guerrero.

Stu Dudley

So Pam & Stu, you would say that the place on 20th is in a safe neighborhood - cause I read in one of the books to beware of the park after dark due to drugs, etc.

Re: being close to the Castro - why do I want that proximity? transportation? Restaurants? Just a fun area?

It's a safe neighborhood - we'll be near there for dinner tonight. You'll really have little need to walk through Dolores park at night. Both 20th & 18th streets border the park & both are stops on the J-Church line. We've frequently gotten off the J-Church at 18th or 20th at night & walked to the Mission for dinner. I've never thought it to be an unsafe area. Many of the homes/apts on 3 sides are upper-end places. (1 side is a Church/school). It may have been un-safer 20 years ago - but not now. Many books may tell you about being aware of your surroundings in ANY park in anycity US.

The Castro, of course, is our heavily gay neighborhood. Perfectly safe. Lots of activity on Castro St between Market & 19th st, & a block or two both east & west. Many restaurants, shops, bars, etc. Since you're close to the J-Church trolly around Dolores park, you'll take that downtown - so no need to go over to Castro to pick up a trolly heading downtown from there. The 33 line goes past Dolores Park on 18th & heads west to the Haight/Ashbury and then along Golden Gate Park. There is a BART station at 16th & Mission - which is a short walk away. Lots of buses on Mission too.

Stu Dudley

bookmarking. unbelievable amount of good info on SF & SonomaV

Stu is right~Bi-rite and Delfina are on 18th just off Guerrero. Delores Park is surrounded by many upscale homes.

And the Castro does have some good restaurants, is safe and has a fabulous movie theater-The Castro Theater where you can see many old films in Art Deco splendor. This is also a neighborhood that knows how to "do brunch".

<<<This is also a neighborhood that knows how to "do brunch".>>>

Does anybody remember the brunch place that was down a little alley that you entered on Castro, (in the back of a building on the east side of the street) that served unreal cinnamon buns? We used to go there often when we lived on Twin Peaks and then in Noe Valley. I think it's not there anymore, but I'd sure love to find out if anyone is making similar buns!

Stu~I think you are referring to "The Patio".

So far, I have been unsuccessful in getting accommodations at ANY of the B & B's on that listing. I'm almost ready to throw in the towel and replan this trip for next Fall, but do so WAY in advance. There is a large convention, I believe orthopedic, going on during the time I am trying to find a place. I have another few days to continue looking, but it isn't looking too optimistic. :(

Susie~I doubt the orthos are staying in the B&Bs. Keep trying.

Pam, I'm sure the orthos aren't, but somebody sure is! Travelzoo just sent me an offer for The Suites at Fisherman's Wharf - I didn't want to stay in that area, but may end up doing so. At least it's only for a few nights. What do you think?

I know nothing about that place. BUT~if it fits with what you are looking for(includes kitchenette?)check out TA on see what they say. You will be in close proximity to Ferry Plaza and can pick up all sorts of treats for heating up or eating on site.Besides, you can come this year vs next.

I am going to try and check it out on line and get back to you.

Susie~The reviews on TA are very good. I agree, the best thing about this place is location,location,location. You will be close to the water, public transportation and the wharf,NorthBeach and North Point.

Have you looked @Cow Hollow Suites?

Is being close to the Wharf a plus????? Sure different from the Noe Valley.

Stu Dudley

The wharf would not be my pick, Stu but she is looking for a place to stay and got an offer.