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North Beach

Broadway at Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94111 (Chinatown)
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As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
Ranked #51 of 327 attractions in San Francisco
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Type: Neighborhoods, Beaches
Activities: Dining, Shopping, City walk sightseeing, Drinking
Fee: No
Recommended length of visit: 1-2 hours
Description: Most of this neighborhood's former beatnik charm is retained while adding fine cuisine to its claim to fame.
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77 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    32
    37
    4
    3
    1
Date Rating
Calgary
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
5 attraction reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2013 NEW

I really liked North Beach because it was a far more human area than where I was staying (one block from Union Square). I went on a Sunday morn. People were walking their dogs, sitting at tables in the sunshine, strolling around and just hangin'.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 5 more reviews by byrl12345 for San Francisco
Calgary, Canada
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

I love this part of town. Interesting sights and smells, lots of great restaurants, priced high and low. Hadn't changed much since my last visit 20 years ago, a good thing.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 6 more reviews by JMGIII for San Francisco
Portland, Maine
Top Contributor
259 reviews 259 reviews
182 attraction reviews
Reviews in 73 cities Reviews in 73 cities
60 helpful votes 60 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 28, 2013

What a neighborhood! It was easy to navigate the sidewalks on foot despite the hills. Streetcars plied Columbus Avenue and major other thoroughfares. There was limited on-street parking. Within a short walk, I saw Washington Square, the Saints Peter and Paul Church, the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, the Beat Museum, and City Lights Bookstore. In the same... More

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See 28 more reviews by mainemountainbear for San Francisco
Sanford, Florida, United States
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 21, 2013

This is Italian neighborhood which is packed with restaurants. They all have tables outside where people sit, eat, and enjoy coffee. Great place to sit down and relax with a coffee or a drink of your preference.

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See 9 more reviews by slobo80 for San Francisco
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 19, 2013

I have decided that if I had enough time, I would just start on one end of North Beach and eat my way to the other side. As it was, we just had to settle for a few tastes. Sodini's is a little place off Washington Square. No reservations taken, but well worth the wait. Try their lasagna. Il Pollaio... More

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ALBANY
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 9, 2013

North Beach is always a treat for the restaurants. Our favorite is US Cafe. We also love the pastries at a shop i cannot remember but know where it is.

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See 4 more reviews by JAMES E for San Francisco
London, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
72 reviews 72 reviews
19 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 30, 2013

I spent a few hours bar hopping and wandering around the eclectic selection of stores. It's much more interesting at night! There are heaps of places to eat, but it you want to try one of the more popular places on trip advisor I'd recommend booking ahead. Going up Coit Tower at night is worth it too.

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See 17 more reviews by Duncan K for San Francisco
Top Contributor
97 reviews 97 reviews
18 attraction reviews
Reviews in 47 cities Reviews in 47 cities
56 helpful votes 56 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 29, 2013

Visitors wonder what it is that makes SF unique. North beach is one of the quintessential neighborhoods. Old eateries, lazy people mixed with the avant guard make this an interesting visit any time.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 14 more reviews by WorldTraveller550 for San Francisco
Berkeley
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 14, 2013

This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco. Here and there you can still find mo and pop shops where the owners still speak Italian. Don't miss City Lights Bookstore.

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See 4 more reviews by Merry_Wife for San Francisco
California
Top Contributor
71 reviews 71 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 44 cities Reviews in 44 cities
43 helpful votes 43 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 4, 2013

...and walking from one country to the next in half a block and eating (or viewing others eating) the great variety of continental foods.

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See 5 more reviews by go2places for San Francisco

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