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You are here: Home / Destinations / North America / USA / California / In Photos: San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood

In Photos: San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood

03/18/15 | California, North America, USA


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One of my favourite things I did during my time in San Francisco was just wandering around neighborhoods, taking in all the architecture and brightly coloured houses. The neighbourhood of North Beach, aka San Francisco’s Little Italy, was no exception.

North Beach got its name because at one point in its history, it was a beach on the north side of the city. Since then, the city limits have expanded, but the name stuck. The term “beatnik” originated here during the 1950s as the neighbourhood was the centre of the Beat Generation. The neighbourhood was once home to author Jack Kerouac of “On the Road” fame and poet Allen Ginsberg.

The neighbourhood is filled with Victorian homes built during the 1920s after the earthquake and fire of 1906 that had completely decimated the city. The tall, thin houses in varying shades of pastels were so much fun to discover. Each house seemed to have something unique which set them apart from the rest. Here are a few of my favourite discoveries.

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

Other Things to See

While I was off staring at houses and wishing I lived in the neigbhourhood, there are plenty of other things to discovery in the neighbourhood.

Lombard Street

Supposedly the “crookedest street in the world”, visiting Lombard Street is a must when you’re in the neighbourhood. It’s not even the the crookedest street in San Francisco. That honour belongs to Vernon Street between 20th and 22nd street in the Portrero Hill neighborhood. Regardless, have a walk up and down and enjoy the nice views.

Filbert Steps & Coit Tower

In Photos: Explore San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood | packmeto.com

Climb up the Filbert Steps to Coit Tower for a great view of the city. The climb to the top of the hill is intense, but worth it. For a small fee you can climb to the top of the tower. Otherwise, take the fantastic murals at the base of the tower.

National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi

San Francisco’s namesake, this church holds a Porziuncola, a replica of Saint Francis’s Porziuncola (Little Portion) in Assisi, Italy

City Lights Bookstore

This three story bookstore is great for book lovers. Next to the bookstore is Jack Kerouac Alley and on the other side of the alley is Vesuvio’s, the historic bar associated with many of the Beat Generation poets.

Do you like wandering aimlessly in new cities? What has been your favourite discovery?

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Comments

  1. Rachael@safari254 says

    March 19, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    The houses are so pretty, i wouldn;t mind living in one. I don’t know whow I woud survive walking through the streets though, the inclines look pretty steep.

    • Rachael@safari254 says

      March 19, 2015 at 9:42 AM

      Argh. The typos. *sigh* pretend you didn’t see them.

    • Adelina says

      March 19, 2015 at 5:41 PM

      I was walking mostly down so I didn’t even notice the inclines much. Walking up definitely wouldn’t be fun though! I’d imagine it would be a pretty killer leg workout though!

      P.S. First time I read your comment I didn’t even notice the typos! The brain is a mysterious thing 😀

  2. Lyn@thetravellinglindfields says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:38 PM

    I have been to San Francisco a few times but I realise now from your lovely photos that I never really stopped and appreciated how beautiful the buidlings were.

    • Adelina says

      March 21, 2015 at 5:44 PM

      Sometimes it can be hard to stop and notice things around you especially when you’re in the city for a short time. It’s too much rushing from here to there. I know I’m definitely guilty of that!

  3. Anda says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:21 PM

    Isn’t San Francisco a great city? I enjoyed reading your post. Made me feel like I was there again. I can never get enough of it. Lovely pictures, Adelina.

    • Adelina says

      March 21, 2015 at 5:43 PM

      I love San Francisco! I already can’t wait to go back 🙂

  4. Tanj from A Travelogue says

    March 21, 2015 at 12:31 PM

    The houses looked so pretty. Would love to visit SFO one day.

  5. Rachel says

    March 21, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    I love how the houses look so different to Victorian houses over here, but they still look Victorian – so much character in them!

    • Adelina says

      March 21, 2015 at 5:43 PM

      I love how they’re all so unique! Different colours and moldings. Very cool.

  6. Andrew says

    March 22, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    reminds me of the place I stayed in – a friends apartment on a steep hill, the facades are similar. And then one night the car in front of the house had all its wheels stolen!

    • Adelina says

      March 27, 2015 at 3:54 AM

      What! That’s crazy! I can’t even imagine in the middle of the city – there’s always people about it seems.

  7. Dana says

    March 23, 2015 at 3:59 PM

    The homes are so beautiful. I will have to make a stop there on my next visit.

  8. Madaline says

    March 26, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    It’s been a while since I’ve been to San Fran, I use to live in CA and it’s always with pleasant memories I look back on my adventures ‘up north’.

    • Adelina says

      March 27, 2015 at 3:34 AM

      Oooh jealous! I would love to live in California for a bit. Ideally in the parts with sun and beach 🙂

Welcome to Pack Me To!

Adelina is a part time traveler, exploring the world despite having a full-time job. Pack Me To is a collection of stories from her travels and adventures around the world as she packs you to destinations around the world with her.

Adelina has been traveling for as long as she can remember and has lived abroad in the Netherlands and Hungary. She loves telling stories, and eating and exploring her way around the world. Come along for the ride. Read More…

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