North Beach, San Francisco, California

Mention North Beach and what comes to mind is a mix of images and contrasts: arts, crafts, and jazz festivals; and a storied history involving known writers and musicians, movie sets and nightclubs.

Discussion

Ask a question about 'North Beach, San Francisco, California' Start a new discussion about 'North Beach, San Francisco, California' Answer questions from other users Full Discussion Forum

Encyclopedia

North Beach is a neighborhood in the northeast of San Francisco adjacent to Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California

Fisherman's Wharf is a neighborhood and popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, California, United StatesIt roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Avenue east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street....
. It is the Little Italy

Little Italy

Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italian people or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an Urban area neighborhood....
 of the city. North Beach is sheltered from ocean breezes by Russian Hill to the west and often enjoys sunny days when much of the city is shrouded in fog.

The American Planning Association (APA)

American Planning Association

The American Planning Association is a professional organization representing the field of urban planning in the United States. The APA was formed in 1978 when two separate professional planning organizations, the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials, were merged into a single organization....
 has named North Beach as one of ten 'Great Neighborhoods in America':

Mention North Beach and what comes to mind is a mix of images and contrasts: arts, crafts, and jazz festivals; and a storied history involving known writers and musicians, movie sets and nightclubs. Added to this are several historical landmarks; a compact layout that makes walking enjoyable and easy; and a strong commitment to keeping businesses and stores independently owned and operated. Residents have fought to keep North Beach this way, and will continue to play an essential role in preserving this character.

Location and description

The San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Chronicle

The San Francisco Chronicle is Northern California's largest newspaper, serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California, from the Sacramento, California area and Emerald Triangle south to San Luis Obispo County....
 defines the Chinatown, North Beach, and Telegraph Hill

Telegraph Hill, San Francisco

Telegraph Hill refers to a small hilly district in San Francisco, California. Its main feature is Coit Tower, which stands atop the hill....
 areas as bound by Sacramento Street, Taylor Street, Bay Street, and the water.

North Beach is a San Francisco, California

California

California is a U.S. state on the West Coast of the United States of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and to the south the Mexico state of Baja California....
 neighborhood bounded by the former Barbary Coast

Barbary Coast, San Francisco, California

Barbary Coast was a pleasure quarter in old San Francisco, California. The neighborhood quickly took on its seedy character during the California Gold Rush ....
, now Jackson Square, and the Financial District south of Broadway (except North Beach institutions extend down Columbus to Washington and Montgomery, where the Black Cat originally was), Chinatown to the southwest of Columbus below Green, and then Russian Hill to the west, Telegraph Hill

Telegraph Hill, San Francisco

Telegraph Hill refers to a small hilly district in San Francisco, California. Its main feature is Coit Tower, which stands atop the hill....
 to the east and Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California

Fisherman's Wharf is a neighborhood and popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, California, United StatesIt roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Avenue east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street....
 at Bay Street to the north.

Typical intersections are Union and Columbus, the southwest corner of Washington Square

Washington Square, San Francisco

Washington Square, in San Francisco's North Beach, San Francisco, California, is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The square consists of a park, surrounded by eating establishments and the Sts....
, Grant Avenue and Vallejo, location of Caffe Trieste, Mason and Francisco, places for much shopping and dining.

The somewhat compact layout of the neighborhood consists of three-story buildings painted in light colors dating from the 1920s, when people rebuilt after the earthquake and fire of 1906. The weather is typically San Franciscan: moderate, with occasional sunny hours between noon, after the morning fog burns off, and four, before the fog starts rolling back in from the Pacific Ocean.

History