North Beach, San Francisco

In North Beach, known as San Francisco’s Little Italy, you’ll find authentic cafes, boutiques, Italian restaurants, Beat generation hangouts, jazz clubs, butcher shops, bakeries and more. North Beach extends from bustling Broadway and Columbus Avenue to Fisherman’s Wharf and is just a short walk from our boutique San Francisco hotel.

Things to Do in North Beach.

Head up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, one of San Francisco’s iconic landmarks, for one of the best views in the city. Take in the breathtaking San Francisco bay area from here and look for the flock of wild parrots that can often be found on Telegraph Hill.

Wander around Washington Square in North Beach to see locals performing the ancient art of Tai Chi. Stop at one of the surrounding North Beach Italian cafes and restaurants for lunch, dinner or a decadent snack. Then take in the Italian cathedral St. Peter’s Church, where Marilyn Monroe and North Beach native and baseball legend Joe DiMaggio posed for their wedding photographs.

For an authentic café experience, head to Caffé Trieste. This North Beach icon has always been popular with writers and artists including the Beat Generation. It was also here that Francis Ford Coppola wrote much of his script for The Godfather. On the weekends the espresso café even offers free opera performances. 601 Vallejo St, 415-392-6739, www.caffetrieste.com.

North Beach and the Beat Generation.

North Beach is also strongly affiliated with the Beat Generation and the generation is alive and well at City Lights bookstore, owned by beat poet and artist Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who still lives and bikes in the neighborhood. Not surprising, the landmark bookstore has one of the best poetry collections in the country - an entire floor full of poetry books. You’ll also find strong selections of history, politics and more.

A new Beat Generation Museum opened at the corners of Broadway and Columbus a few years ago and preserves the legend of the Beats. First edition prints of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” are among the museum’s collections. Look for special book signings, readings and lectures, http://www.thebeatmuseum.org/index.htm.