The story
This top-floor Victorian flat in Bernal Heights has the gracious proportions of an older San Francisco. Tall ceilings, hardwood floors and generously scaled principal rooms set the tone. West-facing windows look out over the surrounding hills toward Twin Peaks, framing the brilliant sunsets the city is known for. The living space is all on one level, with a straightforward layout that adapts easily as needs change. There are two well-proportioned bedrooms and a third room that could serve as an office, nursery or studio. The oversized living room comfortably hosts large gatherings, while the kitchen and dining area, which share the hillside view, form the heart of the apartment: a place as suited to a slow breakfast as to a long dinner with friends. A shared garden offers a quiet place to sit outdoors. A large, undeveloped attic, a separate laundry room and additional storage provide the kind of space that is hard to find in the city. Cortland Avenue, with its cafes, restaurants and small shops, is a few blocks away. The home sits on a quieter residential stretch, close enough to walk down for coffee and far enough removed to feel like a retreat.
