Located close to Chinatown in northeastern San Francisco near Telegraph Hill, the Financial District and Russian Hill, North Beach was once home to one of the most important Italian immigrant communities in the United States.

Despite not being directly on the beach anymore, North Beach is still situated in the northern part of San Francisco. It is bordered by the waterfront to the east and northeast, Chinatown to the south, and Telegraph Hill to the west. The name “North Beach” has persisted over time, becoming ingrained in the neighborhood’s identity.

Today, North Beach is a vibrant neighborhood teeming with excellent Italian restaurants and cafés, delightful boutiques and bookstores, terrific live music venues, and a vibrant nightlife, most of which are clustered around Columbus Avenue. Nearby city landmarks include the historic Coit Tower, an observation deck that provides 360-degree views of the city and bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Nestled between Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown, it is a bustling area that draws locals and tourists in equal measure.

It’s home to Caffè Trieste, the West Coast’s first espresso bar and the Beat-era City Lights Bookshop, and the annual North Beach Festival, one of the Bay Area’s favorite summer street festivals.

Victoria Bakery, founded in 1911, should be put on your list of places to visit for a range of classic Italian pastries, from Napoleons to cannoli to slices of Princess cake which are known to be life-changing.

Although the area’s Italian-American population has drastically declined since the 1950s, to this day its Italian heritage is still very visible. Aside from the quaint Italian signage and storefronts, not to mention the many neighborhood mom-and-pop shops, North Beach boasts endless delicious Italian eateries, such as the ever-popular Golden Boy Pizza and Italian Homemade Company.