North Beach

　　Highlights    Sightseeing Route: The entire route takes about 3 hours. (Sightseeing Route Map)       1. Washington Square — 2. St. Peter and Paul Church — 3. Coit Tower — 4. Columbus Avenue — 5. Filbert Steps — 6. New Larimer — 7. North Beach Museum    Introduction    North Beach has a large population of Italian-American residents. Known as the second home to writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, it is the birthplace of the Beat Movement in the 1950s and has long been a hub for poetry and politics.    The area is relatively quiet in the morning, but becomes lively after noon, reaching its peak vibrancy from dusk until late at night. During the day, you can sit at outdoor tables in cafés or restaurants, enjoying coffee, pasta, and pastries. In the evening, you can have a drink or dinner at Washington Square. In North Beach, you’ll get a full taste of San Francisco’s Italian flavor.
　　Washington Square is the playground of North Beach. Nearby, Coit Tower (free admission, elevator ride for adults is $3.73) is one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks.    Transportation    It is about a 15-minute walk from the Chinatown Gateway Arch and also about 15 minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf. Accessible via bus lines 15, 30, and 45.

　　 United States, San Francisco