DISCOVER THE SAN FRANCISCO
NORTH BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD

The San Francisco North Beach neighborhood is tucked between Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. It's fairly easy walking distance to or from either one if you're in reasonable walking-shape; and it's another of those split-personality-type neighborhoods, fun for both tourists and locals!

While you're planning your trip to San Francisco, be sure to check
HotelsCombined.com for the best hotel pricing.

City Lights Bookstore;
Photo by Suzi Rosenberg

The Italian fishermen from Genova didn't begin to arrive until late
in the 1800s (peaking in 1913), but when they did, they quickly made the neighborhood their own, and it has maintained its Italian flare since then.

In the 1950s, the North Beach San Francisco area was invaded by
the Beat Generation, a group of American writers, poets, and artists who rejected mainstream values and fostered drug experimentation, sexual freedom, and Eastern spiritualism - people like Allen Ginsberg, William S. Bourroughs, and Jack Kerouac.

The City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, a favorite hangout of
the Beatniks, is still a wonderfully independent and famous icon for lovers of ideas and books. It's a must-see stop when you get to North Beach!

And, of course, the North Beach of the '60s was the venue strip joints, Carol Doda and topless bars, Finocchio's where female impersonators reigned supreme, and jazz clubs like the hungry i, which helped to launch the careers of many illustrious entertainers.

Looking for a San Francisco hotel? Do as I do and compare prices at HotelsCombined.com before you book!

Michelangelo's Caffe;
Photo by Suzi Rosenberg

Today San Francisco North Beach is a place of ristorantes with checkered tablecloths, spirited nightclubs, Beach Blanket Babylon, festivals, bakeries and delis, unique import shops, coffee house traditions, and a general aura of bustling conviviality!

If you roam the streets of North Beach, whether it be day or night, you're sure to find much to intrigue you!

You might join the locals for an espresso at Caffe Greco or Caffe Puccini, visit the Beat Museum or - for something a little more unusual - Lyle Tuttle's Tattoo Museum.

Perhaps you'll be there during the North Beach Festival for the
blessing of the animals in June, or the O'Reilly's Oyster and Beer Festival in May.

Or maybe you'll attend a Beach Blanket Babylon performance - it's
a great show and it changes every time you see it! - or browse the poetry at City Lights.

Washington Square Bar & Grill;
Photo by Suzi Rosenberg

Try breakfast at Mama's, dinner at Washington Square Bar & Grill,
or eat at Michelangelo's with its house wine that's brought out in a rooster-pitcher, and where they serve a bowl of gummi bears for dessert.

Hang out and people watch in Washington Square, or celebrate Columbus Day at Sts. Peter and Paul's Columbus Day Bazaar.

Dance the night away at the Velvet Lounge, or have a weekday pint and a game of pool at the Savoy-Tivoli, or really join the locals for happy hour at the Columbus Cafe.

You might want to shop for a pasta maker at A. Cavalli & Co., or for European and Asian designer jeans at AB fits, or Majolica pottery at Biordi Arts.

And to experience the full flavor of North Beach, you gotta at least stroll under the neon on Broadway and take a look at the strip clubs, especially the Broadway Showgirls Cabaret which offers fine dining along with its classy adult entertainment.

There's lots to do in North Beach, and you'll feel like you're in an authentic San Francisco neighborhood with character while you're doing it!

Is your curiosity peaked about other San Francisco neighborhoods?

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