No matter how many times I visit San Francisco, I feel like I’m still getting to know this city. Like many wine-loving non-residents, the city is often just a quick stop for me on the way to wine country, and all too often I’m more focused on beating the afternoon highway/bridge traffic out of town, when I ought to just pick a spot, relax, and watch the city life go by.

Earlier in the month, I had reason to stay in the city overnight, and a Pacific Heights appointment gave me the opportunity to explore this tony area. Here are a few of my newly-cherished addresses:

The Laurel Inn is like a little miracle — affordable, spacious, stylish, friendly, with ample self parking. It’s got a retro feel, but with an updated, mid-century  modern vibe and 21st century touches like flatscreen TVs, etc. The room I had was a kitchenette, complete with microwave and stove. Complimentary continental breakfast is served in the lobby. Walking distance to the shopping and dining of Sacramento Street and Presidio National Park. (The only drawback, for some at least, is the lack of central A/C.) Rates from $159. 444 Presidio Avenue at California. 415-567-8467 / 800-552-8735.

If I lived in this area, Martha & Bros. Coffee on California would be my second home. I stopped in here for a coffee, ogled the rustic looking carrot cake slabs (rustic slabs of carrot cake are always the best, in my experience) with their thick coating of creamy icing, and hung out for about half an hour before my appointment up the block. It was a quiet mid-afternoon, and there were only a few customers. One was a mailman who obviously had a standing coffee order, two were upscale ladies (one of whom broke into the most beautiful Spanish song and coaxed one of the employees to join in — clearly not their first duet), one was a solo, youngish female armed with a briefcase, a blackberry and an iPhone. The coffee was perfect. The sandwiches and salads look appealing. And then there’s that carrot cake…

Osteria is a neighborhood Italian restaurant offering white tablecloths, prettily-prepared Tuscan food and friendly service in a cozy but not crowded atmosphere. The spinach salad was topped with feta, roasted almonds andpeanuts (okay, not terribly Tuscan, but I was in nut heaven), and a textbook veal scaloppini with lemon and capers ($16) was simple and delicious. There were plenty of affordable Italian wine choices, too. I’m not saying this is the most cutting-edge, knock your socks off place in town. But it was good. Affordable. Easy. I’d go back.

Staying in this neck of the woods is also a nice starting point for a biking excursion through the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge. On the other side, indulge at fresh fish at Fish. Casual, popular, super-fresh. Great fish ‘n chips, by the by. Small list of organic and off-the-beaten-path wines. 350 Harbor Drive, Sausalito. 415-331-FISH.