The back story
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The back story
North Beach: espresso, Beat history and Telegraph Hill
The old Italian quarter: cafés, bookshops, bars and Coit Tower above.
Neighbourhood guide · espresso, Beat history and Telegraph Hill
North Beach: Our Favourites
North Beach in one page: City Lights and Vesuvio, Caffe Trieste, Club Fugazi, Sotto Mare, Original Joe’s and Coit Tower above.
What's onThis week in San Francisco
What to see and do
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Home of “Dear San Francisco”
Club Fugazi
The North Beach theatre that is home to the cabaret-circus show “Dear San Francisco”.
678 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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Above North Beach
Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill
The landmark tower on Telegraph Hill, above North Beach.
Where to eat
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Cioppino in North Beach
Sotto Mare
An Italian seafood restaurant on Green Street in North Beach.
552 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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Italian-American on Washington Square
Original Joe’s
An Italian-American restaurant on Union Street, facing Washington Square.
601 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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North Beach espresso
Caffe Trieste
A North Beach espresso house on Vallejo Street, serving coffee for more than 50 years.
601 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
Bars and nightlife
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A Beat-era bar since 1948
Vesuvio Cafe
A bohemian bar on Columbus Avenue, open since 1948, beside City Lights.
255 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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A North Beach saloon
Comstock Saloon
A saloon-style cocktail bar on Columbus Avenue in North Beach.
155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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A supper club in an alley
Bix
A supper club and bar on Gold Street, an alley in Jackson Square.
56 Gold Street, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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A North Beach night spot
Bimbo’s 365 Club
A long-running North Beach nightclub and music venue on Columbus Avenue.
1025 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
Shopping
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The Beat bookshop
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
The independent bookshop and publisher on Columbus Avenue, open daily 10am–10pm.
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
Questions and answers
Is the Beat Museum open?
No. It is closed for seismic retrofitting and expects to reopen in 2027 (kerouac.com).
Share your North Beach tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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