Micasa Temporary Lodging

it was by chance while searching for hotel accomodations for a visit to my daughter in oakland that i came across info about micasa. my daughter had been searching for something more unique than a hotel but with little luck. fortunately they had availability, and we were set. what a pleasant surprise, it was better than the website, from the quiet street, beautiful gardens, deck, fresh flowers, working gas fireplace, books, antiques etc etc i can not say enough. the innkeepers were attentive but not in the way. everything necessary to live away from home was there, from the washing machine with detergent, dish towels, body wash, hair dryer, there was even toothpaste. the rates were quite reasonable considering you are having the use of half a house. very clean too a very positive experience.

I’ve gotta stop staying in these cute, funky places, because everytime I do I want to move in. Micasa has a leg up on BnB’s though because it’s in Berkeley, within biking/​walking distance of just about everything I’d want, and it’s an actual, discrete unit WITH A WASHER AND DRYER. Lots of nice little homey touches without being too cluttered or stuffy. And the most perfectly firm bed, if I didn’t have my sounds-​like-​a-​stihl-​chainsaw snoring SO lying next to me I would have slept like a baby (which I did after he made his way out to the couch at 3am coz he likes to «air out» as he calls it). Though there’s plenty of hot water the tub isn’t quite big enough to soak in, but fortunately it’s pretty close to the Albany hot tubs, which I love. I’d come back for the privacy, the gas fireplace, and the morning pastries. Sadly I don’t think Ted and Mica do monthly rates, or at least nothing I could afford to rent.
This is the perfect spot for a close-​to-​home getaway for a couple, though because of the antiques I’d likely dissuade those with small children. Oh, and this is not the place for those who are easily freaked out by antique dolls. I was tempted a few times to cover up the display case full of staring eyes. Thank god there’s no grandfather clock! (Yes, I’m clock-​phobic.) I agree with Dan, this ain’t your grandpa’s B+B. Micasa’s like the un-B+B but you still get the continental breakfast and embroidered pillowshams.
Micasa is pretty bike-​friendly as it’s not in too hilly of a neighborhood. Looks like several people feel safe enough to lock their bikes up on the street, but if you’re strong enough to carry it up there’s room for a bike on the porch and a bike on the landing. Big plus: there’s a decent amount of street parking. Note: Micasa is not wheelchair accessible. It’s an old bungalow, and the unit is the equivalent of three stories up.
Lastly, DON’T FORGET YOUR SLIPPERS, it’s all hardwood floors and your socks will thank you.

So, from the looks of it, reviewing B+Bs isn’t quite as cool as reviewing bars or cup-​cakeries even… I keep getting first crack at these great Bay Area hideaways. So first, let’s try to shed that stigma of the B+B as a geriatric refuge with floral wallpaper, or a potpourri palace where you are forced to co-​mingle with the annoying couple in the next room over breakfast. No sir. Micasa, for one, doesn’t even call itself a B+B. Plus, it’s a single unit. It’s «temporary lodging,» dude, and a great place to call home (uh, literally) for a few days, or have your friends and family stay at while in the Bay Area. Though it’s tucked away in quiet, wooded North Berkeley and you’ll need a car for easy access, it’s so close to everything SF and the east bay has to offer: The so-​called Gourmet Ghetto (think Chez Panisse) is a few blocks away; UC Berkeley is a 10-​minute drive; and SF proper is just over the Bay Bridge. The house itself is an amazing Craftsman-​style Redwood bungalow overlooking the bay. The owners (former hippies Ted, Mica and beautiful German Shepard pup, Willie) live on-​site, but are nice enough and let you alone to enjoy your ½ of their wonderful home. So, you have the equivalent of an entire 1-​bedroom apt to yourself, complete with full kitchen, washer/​dryer, bathroom, bedroom, living room, dining room and back porch (beware: the next door neighbors use their clothing optional jacuzzi every night, but otherwise not much of a show). Cable and wireless included — whoo hoo! Oh, and the breakfast. If you wish, Ted will happily deliver fresh pastries from one of the nearby bakeries to your door in the a.m. hours. Nice touch. I should add that as a former antique collector, Ted has decorated the place with his things. But, again, this ain’t your grand-dad’s B+B… these objects are quite cool, including pre-​War circus animal figurines and some of the coolest furniture you’ll ever have the pleasure of sitting your lower middle-​class ass on!