The Inside Scoop by our Local Expert
Also known as Little Italy, the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco has been named one of America's top ten neighborhoods. Most of the Victorian homes and other architecture found throughout North Beach date back to the 1920s. Steep yet picturesque streets, ample entertainment options, and open green space characterize the neighborhood. North Beach, which is situated in northeastern San Francisco, extends from the Financial District in the south to Jackson Square in the north. A major intersection in this densely populated area is Union St. and Columbus Avenue. Like much of North Beach, it is lined with Italian restaurants, quaint cafes, and cocktail bars. Once home to mostly Italian American families, North Beach is now home to a more ethnically diverse population. Its population overlaps in particular with adjacent Chinatown and Russian Hill. North Beach was also known historically for being a nexus of beatnik poets.