North Beach

San Francisco

North Beach featuring a city and skyline
North Beach featuring cycling and street scenes
North Beach
North Beach showing a coastal town, signage and a city
North Beach

Better known as Little Italy, this neighborhood was once a hotspot for counterculture and features an array of bars, jazz clubs, galleries and cafés.

North Beach is known for its Italian heritage and bohemian culture. Shop for fine cheeses and meats in old-world delicatessens and dine in traditional Italian restaurants with red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Seek out the haunts of famous Beat Generation writers and poets, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

Though its rich counterculture history attracts a lot of tourists to the district, North Beach remains a much-loved destination for locals too. The lively neighborhood has a high concentration of bars and nightclubs. Listen to live music in a jazz venue or chat with friends in a cozy wine bar. The area is also full of independent clothing boutiques and bookstores, making it a popular alternative shopping destination.

Book a walking tour of North Beach to discover some of the city’s finest local food. Find out how coffee is roasted and visit a deli that’s been operating since the late 19th century. Some of the best Italian restaurants and cafés in San Francisco can be found in North Beach.

Relax in Washington Square, a historic park in North Beach surrounded by sidewalk cafés and restaurants. This beautiful park also hosts movie nights and special events throughout the year. Bordering the park to the north is the Sts. Peter and Paul Church. This beautiful twin-spire cathedral was completed in the early 20th century.

The 210-foot (64-meter) tall Coit Tower stands in Pioneer Park east of Washington Square. Purchase tickets from the tower’s gift shop and ascend to the observation deck for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and bay. Spot the Golden Gate BridgeOpens in a new window and other San Francisco landmarks.

North Beach is north of San Francisco’s Financial DistrictOpens in a new window, about 16 miles (26 kilometers) from San Francisco International Airport. Street parking can be scarce in this area so use available parking lots or travel here by bus instead.

Spend a day exploring North Beach’s excellent bars, restaurants and cafés while learning about the area’s significant Italian and literary history.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in North Beach

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P6,978 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P6,978
P10,560 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,693 reviews)
"Very comfy and good location. The breakfast is really good. The wifi is really bad though so if you are willing to do any online call or work you'd better find another alternative. I think they need to improve it."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
1300 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
The price is P8,154 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P8,154
P12,212 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,714 reviews)
"Good location and friendly staff. Appreciate eco friendly toiletries and water refill station. The room was supposed to have a partial bay view but in reality it was mostly a trash alley with the wall of the next building with a tiny slither of the ocean on the horizon. 3.5 stars"

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2025

Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco

4 out of 5
555 N Point St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P7,539 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
P7,539
P11,226 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,376 reviews)
"A really well located hotel for doing tourist things in SF and all the staff were fine. Some of the hotel is starting to show its age, and our room had a bit of a musty smell although appeared to be well cleaned. The pool wasn’t heated nearly enough to combat the windy days we were there, which was ..."

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2025

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
425 North Point, San Francisco, CA
The price is P7,248 per night from Sep 3 to Sep 4
P7,248
P10,961 total
Sep 3 - Sep 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,437 reviews)
"Nice place and a good location."

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

3 out of 5
2620 Jones St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P9,538 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
P9,538
P11,226 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Staff was friendly. I liked that they offered coffee and cookies in the morning. They had a nice lounge are with board games that anyone could use. We did utilize it a couple of nights and it was fun. The property was under construction for part of it. To go to our room we had to go in a big circle. ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

4 out of 5
250 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is P8,874 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P8,874
P12,456 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness center, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,148 reviews)
"Great location. Room was clean and fresh. Staff were friendly. Love the smores they give you when you check in. Such a fun time with the family around the fire pits"

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2025

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around North Beach

Default Image

Russian Hill

Spend some time visiting places like Macondray Lane while getting to know Russian Hill, and be sure to check out the beaches. You can hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop to see more of the area.

Russian Hill
Chinatown which includes street scenes

Chinatown

5/5(1 area review)

Dragon's Gate and Spofford Alley are top sights in Chinatown, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Chinatown-Rose Pak Stop or Powell St & Clay St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Chinatown
Fisherman\'s Wharf featuring a bay or harbor

Fisherman's Wharf

Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay are top sights in Fisherman's Wharf, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Fisherman's Wharf
Nob Hill featuring street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4/5(1 area review)

Travelers love Nob Hill for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Washington St & Leavenworth St Stop or Washington St & Jones St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Grace Cathedral and SF Masonic Auditorium.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

Enjoy the popular shops in Financial District. Embarcadero Center is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at California St & Front St Stop or California St & Battery St Stop to see more of San Francisco.

Financial District
Union Square which includes a high rise building and a city

Union Square

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square

North Beach