Named one of the Ten Great Neighborhoods in America, North Beach has a rich and interesting history. Located in the Northeast corner of San Francisco, the neighborhood borders on Fisherman’s Wharf, The Financial District and Russian Hill. Historically, the neighborhood consisted of a large Italian American population, which resulted in a large number of Italian restaurants and cafes, however in the present day, the population has become much more diverse. Because of the long standing Italian restaurants and shops, the area is San Francisco’s answer to “Little Italy”.
The proximity to the Financial District and the lively atmosphere make North Beach one of the most popular neighborhoods to live in. The streets are lined with fun bars, cute shops and great restaurants as well as some historically significant attractions. High above North Beach on Telegraph Hill is Coit Tower. An integral part of the San Francisco Skyline, the 210-foot tower is a monument dedicated to firefighters that died in some of San Francisco’s major fires. Opened to the public in 1933, the tower features murals painted by 27 different artists as well as a large observation deck offering 360 degree views of the city and the bay. Also on top of Telegraph Hill are a large flock of brightly-colored parrots who have decided to call the area their home. An unusual species to inhabit Northern California, the flock has inspired a popular 2003 documentary titled “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill”.
Below Telegraph Hill, there are even more historically significant reasons to visit North Beach. It was the epicenter for the rise of the Beat Generation, which was characterized as a “media stereotype” to describe a like-minded group of people who believed in a social movement involving artistic self-expression and the rejection of conventional societal norms Called “beatniks”, a term coined by famous journalist Herb Caen, the group settled in North Beach during the 1950s. You can still see some influences in North Beach from the famous movement and even stop by the Beat Museum on Broadway to learn more.
North Beach has been the home to a long list of famous people including former San Francisco Mayor, Joseph Alioto, however baseball legend, Joe DiMaggio was probably the most well known. Aside from being one of the best baseball players of all time, DiMaggio made International headlines due to his wedding. He married his first wife in North Beach at the Saints Peter and Paul Church and then after getting married to Marilyn Monroe, he returned to the church to take wedding pictures.
North Beach is a popular place for tourism due to the many historic landmarks in the area. Besides Coit Tower and Saint Pater and Paul Church, there are many other things to see. Washington Square Park, located in the center of the neighborhood is a popular place to picnic and enjoy the beautiful San Francisco weather. There are also a number of famous restaurants and cafes such as The Stinking Rose, Cafe Trieste, The Saloon (one of the oldest bars in San Francisco), Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe and the location of Mabuhay Gardens, a famous punk rock club.
EXPLORE EVENTS
Upcoming San Francisco Events
03
April
2025
Bullet for My Valentine & Trivium: The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour 2025
03
April
2025
Aziz Ansari Hypothetical Tour at The Paramount Theatre
03
April
2025
Magic Sword Year of The Sword Tour 2025
03
April
2025
Wilderness at Bottom of the Hill
03
April
2025
Club Chris Tour with Chris Olsen & Ryan Trainor
03
April
2025
Conner O’Malley at Cobb’s Comedy Club
03
April
2025
Role Model No Place Like Tour | Debbie Dawson
03
April
2025
Spencer Sutherland The Drama North American Tour at The Fillmore
04
April
2025
Dreamstate
04
April
2025
Elderbrook Another Touch North American Tour
04
April
2025
Conner O’Malley at Cobb’s Comedy Club Night Two
04
April
2025
Movements with Citizen at The Masonic
04
April
2025
Spelling Portrait of My Heart Tour
04
April
2025
Myles Smith We Were Never Strangers Tour 2025
04
April
2025
Old 97’s at The Fillmore
04
April
2025
Rubblebucket, CAPYAC at August Hall
04
April
2025
Mild Minds at Bimbo’s 365 Club
04
April
2025
Lunar Vacation at Rickshaw Stop
05
April
2025
Dreamstate Night Two
05
April
2025
Machine Head In Flames Lacuna Coil | Unearth
05
April
2025
Poison The Well with Glassjaw, Better Lovers, and Teenage Wrist
05
April
2025
Conner O’Malley SF at Cobb’s Comedy Club Night Three
05
April
2025
Kayzo at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
05
April
2025
Wax Tailor DJ Set 20th Anniversary
05
April
2025
Wheatus at Bottom of the Hill
05
April
2025
Daily Bread Flash Flood Tour / with Maddy O’Neal, Josh Teed
05
April
2025
Dummy at Rickshaw Stop
06
April
2025
Ian Bragg at Cobbs Comedy Club
06
April
2025
Stereophonics Spring Tour 2025
07
April
2025
Napalm Death, Melvins, Seedeater, Dark Sky Burial at Great American Music Hall
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