North Beach: Tours and Guided Visits

North Beach is one of San Francisco’s liveliest quarters and rich in Italian heritage, drawing large numbers of visitors to its trattorias and coffee shops. Take a tour of the old district and explore the highlights and attractions of colorful North Beach.

Experience its culture and cuisine and discover the lingering spirit of the famous Beat Generation in the City Lights bookstore and popular Vesuvio Cafe on a North Beach tour in San Francisco.

You can browse through our guide to find out more about North Beach, one of the most exciting sightseeing tours in San Francisco.

Where is North Beach and how do I get there?

North Beach lies in the northeastern part of San Francisco and borders on Russian Hill to the west, Chinatown to the southwest, Fisherman's Wharf to the north and the Financial District to the south.

Its main intersections are Union and Columbus Streets, Grant Avenue, Vallejo Street and the southwest corner of Washington Square.

By bus

Take the Muni bus, which is US$3 for adults. The 30 and 45 buses run through North Beach, and you can get off at various stops in the neighborhood.

By cable car

From Union Square, take the Powell/Mason Cable Car and hop off once you get to Columbus Street, which is in the heart of North Beach.

By taxi

Take a cab from Union Square at around US$15 plus tip. The drive is only about 10 minutes.

What are the highlights in the area?

Beat Museum

The museum is located on Broadway Street near Columbus Avenue. It illustrates the history of the Beat (Beatnik) Generation, including a number of original works of art, writings and other memorabilia from these artists.

The Beat Generation of the 1950s was represented by a group of young artists, poets and writers who lived lives considered alternative and radical at the time. Most of them grew up on the East Coast and many of them settled in San Francisco in the 1950s.

Even then, San Francisco was well-known for its tolerance and acceptance, which suited this group well in continuing their art and literature. Many of them settled in North Beach, where famous writers such as Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg also lived.

The Vesuvio Cafe and City Lights Bookstore

The Vesuvio is an old bar in the heart of North Beach and was a popular hangout for the famous writer Jack Kerouac and other Beat Generation artists. Here they often spent hours and hours talking, writing and having drinks, including Kerouac, Neal Cassady and Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

The bar opened in 1958 and soon these famous writers and artists of the Beat Generation moved to the North Beach neighborhood. The Vesuvio became a popular spot for them once Ferlinghetti opened the City Lights Bookstore next door.

With its laid-back atmosphere and historic roots, the Vesuvio Cafe today is a popular venue for tourists and local residents alike. When you visit, make sure to spend time admiring the collection of photos, articles and other pieces of art.

What are the best tours to visit North Beach?

North Beach small group food and history walking tour

Indulge in a variety of foods and share interesting stories on a small group walking food tour of North Beach, known as San Francisco's Little Italy. Your guide will take you to some of the most popular bakeries and eateries for authentic Italian pastries, garlic dishes, pizza, coffee and cocktails.

Along the way, you will learn about North Beach’s fascinating history, from its Italian origins to the illustrious Beat Generation.

Meet your guide at the Sentinel Building (Columbus Tower) on Kearny Street. You will pass by the Flatiron Building and the first stop will be at the distinctive copper green Columbus Tower building. It was completed in 1907, and is currently home to Zoetrope film studio co-founded by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas.

Stop at the Saint Francis of Assisi Church, where your guide will share the story of the lovely murals by the Italian painter Luigi Brusatori. Continue to Stella Pastry, where you will taste the Biscotti or Cookie of the Day with coffee or espresso.

The guide will explain to you all the different baking techniques in creating the products on display at the café. Next you will visit Washington Square, where you will hear about the history of the park’s statues and the time capsules buried in the park. Then, at Golden Boy Pizza, you will have the chance to taste one of the best pizzas in town.

Continue to the City Lights Booksellers and Publishers and enjoy the store’s interior. Hear about the "Beat Generation", from the era of the famous Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Kerouac had an alley named after him, which you will pass through and where you can photograph its well-known murals.

Your tour ends at the Stinking Rose, known for its liberal use of garlic. Taste any garlic delicacy or choose a cocktail/beer to finish your memorable tour.

North Beach walking food tour

On this special 3-hour North Beach tour, one of the famous food tours in San Francisco, you can taste and experience the best that North Beach has to offer. Experience the local culture and learn the history as you go along.

Divert from the main route and explore the attractive side streets of North Beach, where you can discover interesting shops, bites and beverages. Your tour will meet in front of Caffe Trieste on Vallejo Street, with Grant Avenue as the cross street and Embarcadero as the nearest BART station.

In between tastings, you will be shown interesting historical landmarks and fine architecture, and get glimpses of the district’s culture and cuisine. The tour is meant to showcase local artisans and unearth the area’s unique history and architecture.

Strolling from one block to the next, you'll stop for tastings at five eateries, including the Molinari Delicatessen, dating from 1896. Pope John Paul II was once presented with one of the restaurant's salamis.

You'll also visit Peña Pachamama, the historic site of a former popular speakeasy and serving up organic Bolivian food; The Golden Boy Pizza, for some of the best pizza in the city; XOX Truffles, offering the finest handmade truffles; and A. Cavalli and Co., established 1880, serving deliciously fresh Italian food and coffee.

North Beach and Chinatown food tour

On this walking tour in San Francisco, you will also visit the nearby neighborhood Chinatown to sample moon cakes and dim sum. Like North Beach, Chinatown is a popular vibrant immigrant neighborhood, where you can explore various shops and taste authentic Chinese cuisine.

You will meet your guide at the Dragon's Gate, the entrance to Chinatown, and continue your tour to North Beach. After a tea tasting and local foods, you will visit the Little Italy to indulge in Italian coffee, pizza, pastries and chocolate.

What are the prices of North Beach tours?

North Beach tours which typically involve food tastings cost between US$75 and US$80 per person. This price range applies to North Beach small group history and food walking tours and North Beach plus Chinatown food tours. The cost covers brunch, coffee and/or tea and alcoholic beverages.

If you fancy a culinary experience with a curated 4-course meal at North Beach, expect to pay around US$100 per person. This does not include alcohol pairing which costs US$26 per person.

Where do North Beach tours start?

North Beach tours usually start from different meeting points in downtown San Francisco, such as Caffe Trieste located at Vallejo Street or the Sentinel Building (Columbus Tower) on Kearny Street.

When is the best time to go on a tour of North Beach?

The best time of the year to visit San Francisco/North Beach is from September to November with some of the warmest days and less crowds. North Beach tends to become alive later than Chinatown, that opens from 8 to 9 AM.

Which are the other sightseeing tours in San Francisco?

• Fisherman's Wharf tours in San Francisco
• City tours in San Francisco
• Mission District tours in San Francisco

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your North Beach tour in San Francisco in advance.
• North Beach is a compact neighborhood, and the best way to experience it is on foot. Wear comfortable shoes for wandering around the narrow streets and alleys, discovering hidden gems along the way.
• San Francisco can often be cool and foggy, so also bring warm clothing.
• Explore the lively nightlife in North Beach, with plenty of bars, clubs and music venues to choose from.