North Beach
North Beach
4.5
About
Most of this neighborhood's former beatnik charm is retained while adding fine cuisine to its claim to fame.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighbourhood: North Beach
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4.5
301 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
134
Average
23
Poor
6
Terrible
5
Grant G
11 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
This area of San Francisco used to be a really nice area to Spend the Day with your family because of all it's Restaurants. and Walking pleasures . This area is Called Little Italy with Washington Park and the older Italian guys playing their Batchie Balls being rolled in the grass of Washington Park . The Big Reason why Drugs and Homeless People don't Hang out here is because of the Great Italians and their Powerful influence on this area that is Well known now for Some time .I would Feel Safe bringing my Family and Children here because of the Very Strong Italian People that do business in this area .and Live with their Families here too . To me , This is a Nice Safe Area to Come to , to Visit San Francisco's Charm of the Past .
Written 22 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,770 contributions
Jun 2023
This area is still vibrant, still lots of people around living their lives and enjoying the good food here. Lots of restaurants, mostly traditional. It's a nice dense area with some good parks and some great architecture. Lots of history.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mshapiro99
Sterling, VA1,423 contributions
Jul 2021
Walked through North Beach on a recent visit to San Francisco, and found the architecture interesting and welcoming. Close to Little Italy, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf, this will be the next neighborhood we find a hotel to stay in and use as a base of operations. Lots of great restaurants in a 5 block radius. Worth exploring!
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA212,257 contributions
Jan 2020
I like North Beach, so returned on a nice January day. I went to the Beat Museum and City Lights Bookstore. I explored the food stores such as Molinari Delicatessan. I enjoyed in general just exploring the area.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
colmaboy
San Francisco47 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
I have lived in San Francisco my entire life. This is my favorite tour when visitors come. I still love taking this tour. This is the San Francisco night tour in a car. Bring a coat, dress warm. In you love night photography, this tour will not disappoint. See notes at the end about how to take night time photos. Estimated duration is about 3 hours starting and ending in downtown San Francisco.
1) Go to Twin Peaks just prior to sunset and stay until dark. Just make sure the fog is not coming in when you go. Incredible by day, magical by night. Must be a fog free night. From anywhere downtown, just look up to twin peaks, if the fog is coming over the top, go another day.
2) Proceed across the Golden Gate Bridge to Hendrik point. Bring a flash light (not required) and take the 5 minute walk out to the point, you will not be disappointed. The best picture spot to see the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco in the background. Again, should be a relatively fog free night.
3) Return back across the bridge and go to Fort Point. Another great shot looking up at the bridge.
4) Proceed to the Palace of Fine Arts.
5) Drive down Lombard St (the crooked St).
6) Drive down Filbert St (the steepest St). When exiting Lombard, turn right and go 3 blocks to Union, turn right go 1 block to Hyde, turn right and go 1 block to Filbert. Make sure to stop the car right at the crest.
7) Go to Coit Tower. Walk around the base of the tower as well as going to the southern point of the park to view downtown and the lite show on the Bay Bridge.
How to take great night time pictures with a point and shoot.
1) Turn the flash off for any pictures without people in them.
2) Set the self-timer to 2 or 10 seconds, this eliminates blur.
3) Place the camera on a level surface (or tripod if available).
4) Shoot
You can thank me later for the great night time photos you will get.
1) Go to Twin Peaks just prior to sunset and stay until dark. Just make sure the fog is not coming in when you go. Incredible by day, magical by night. Must be a fog free night. From anywhere downtown, just look up to twin peaks, if the fog is coming over the top, go another day.
2) Proceed across the Golden Gate Bridge to Hendrik point. Bring a flash light (not required) and take the 5 minute walk out to the point, you will not be disappointed. The best picture spot to see the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco in the background. Again, should be a relatively fog free night.
3) Return back across the bridge and go to Fort Point. Another great shot looking up at the bridge.
4) Proceed to the Palace of Fine Arts.
5) Drive down Lombard St (the crooked St).
6) Drive down Filbert St (the steepest St). When exiting Lombard, turn right and go 3 blocks to Union, turn right go 1 block to Hyde, turn right and go 1 block to Filbert. Make sure to stop the car right at the crest.
7) Go to Coit Tower. Walk around the base of the tower as well as going to the southern point of the park to view downtown and the lite show on the Bay Bridge.
How to take great night time pictures with a point and shoot.
1) Turn the flash off for any pictures without people in them.
2) Set the self-timer to 2 or 10 seconds, this eliminates blur.
3) Place the camera on a level surface (or tripod if available).
4) Shoot
You can thank me later for the great night time photos you will get.
Written 29 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smartlight9
San Francisco, CA119 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
I love North Beach and I live here. I love the warmth and welcoming of my neighbors toward me and the tons of tourists from all over the world who visit here. I love the heavy concentration of excellent Italian restaurants. My favorites are Contadinas and Pelligrini's. The best Gelato is Mara's Italian Pastry (Their lemon bars are heaven). Walk Columbus Avenue, but also try Green Street and Grant Avenue. San Remo Hotel is the cheapest in North Beach in the European style with bathrooms down the hall. A bonus is it is right next to Fiori D Italia, the oldest Italian restaurant in America (half-price drinks and bar snacks 4 to 7 pm). Climb to Coit Tower and if you are athletic, walk the Greenwich Steps down the other side to get to the Embarcadaro.
North Beach is human sized (nothing over 40 feet high) because we locals fight to stop high rises and chain retail stores. We like our village feel and preserving our Italian history and our Beat history. Don't forget City Lights Bookstore, one of the world's great bookstores.
Tip: ask a local for directions. We like tourists. We really do.
North Beach is human sized (nothing over 40 feet high) because we locals fight to stop high rises and chain retail stores. We like our village feel and preserving our Italian history and our Beat history. Don't forget City Lights Bookstore, one of the world's great bookstores.
Tip: ask a local for directions. We like tourists. We really do.
Written 30 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marytravelsalot
Vero Beach, FL24 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
If possible, find a B&B in North Beach, put on your walking shoes and have the time of your life!!!!
A little known gem is the F trolley line. The cars are antiques from across the country and around the world. The line runs from Fisherman's Wharf, along the Embarcadero, past the Ferry Building and on to Market Street. Fare is $2.00, $.75 for seniors.
Washington Square is a good place to take a break. Watch the locals practice tai chi, take a stroll through Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Original Joe's is nice for a quiet dinner. Coit Tower is a short hike UP the hill.
A day long wine tour is most enjoyable. The return trip was from Sausalito by ferry.
We stopped at the Ferry Building Marketplace for cheese, fruit and a loaf of bread to go with our wine purchase. A nice way to end 4 days in San Francisco.
North Beach is approximately 30 Minutes from the airport by cab and the fare is in the $50 dollar range.
A little known gem is the F trolley line. The cars are antiques from across the country and around the world. The line runs from Fisherman's Wharf, along the Embarcadero, past the Ferry Building and on to Market Street. Fare is $2.00, $.75 for seniors.
Washington Square is a good place to take a break. Watch the locals practice tai chi, take a stroll through Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Original Joe's is nice for a quiet dinner. Coit Tower is a short hike UP the hill.
A day long wine tour is most enjoyable. The return trip was from Sausalito by ferry.
We stopped at the Ferry Building Marketplace for cheese, fruit and a loaf of bread to go with our wine purchase. A nice way to end 4 days in San Francisco.
North Beach is approximately 30 Minutes from the airport by cab and the fare is in the $50 dollar range.
Written 11 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gigi318
Saint Louis, MO21 contributions
One of my absolute favorite areas of San Francisco. It's a mix of funky and ultra traditional Italian. Always a great place to eat (Enricos, Cafe Trieste or Citizen Thai), to lounge, to read, to stroll or take a full on walk on the wild side. I've stayed in North Beach twice and would love to stay there again and again. China Town to one side of you and highbrow residential on the other. There is truly something for everyone.
Written 23 May 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
multimom
Waco, TX1,327 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
Use Public transportation and do as much as you possibly can while in San Francisco. Have clam chowder and fish and chips along the wharf while listening to the sea lions bark. Get over to the Ferry Building and have lite bites from many of the food vendors. Do not miss my favorite spot, Original Joe's for a beer and a burger that you will never forget. Get a second wind while having an Irish coffee on just about any block in town. Be sure to have some original fish and chips and your share of Italian food.Take in a play, a comedy or catch some live music. Visit a unique bar that the locals visit daily. I chose Homestead. Get out of the city and explore the Golden Gate Park or walk along the beach. Shop till you drop! Get to a department store and take advantage of a sale for new pants in a larger size! (Macey's usually has the best prices! Pack an umbrella in your backpack and be prepared for rain. Plan to exercise when you get back home. It will all be worth it!
Written 9 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Culture6100
New York1 contribution
We just got back from a wonderful one month vacation in San Francisco. The city was sunny and stunning for our entire stay. We stayed in North Beach at a furnished rental. The rental was beautiful, charming, clean, central, and packed with amenities. It was called the North Beach Flats and on Lombard Street. It was everything that was advertised and more. The people who run it are very helpful and friendly. This place was designed for families. This was excellent for us, as we have two children.
If you go to San Francisco, you have to stay in North Beach. This neighborhood is like an old world village and it is at the center of everything that you would want to see as a tourist. Living in this neighborhood made us feel like real San Franicscans.
Have a great time!
If you go to San Francisco, you have to stay in North Beach. This neighborhood is like an old world village and it is at the center of everything that you would want to see as a tourist. Living in this neighborhood made us feel like real San Franicscans.
Have a great time!
Written 9 May 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far is North Beach from the tourist highlights - Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, etc? Thanks
Written 30 August 2017
I would suggest that you map out where you want to go. The Golden Gate Bridge is on the other end. The rest are close to North Beach.
Written 30 August 2017
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