SF: North Beach: A National Fave
Anyone who’s strolled along the sidewalk cafes along Columbus Ave., cuddled up to watch an outdoor movie screening in Washington Square, visited historic Coit Tower, or simply stood on a hill to look at the panoramic view knows that North Beach is a special neighborhood. In fact, so special is SF’s Italian flavored ‘hood that it made the Chronicle. The headline: “North Beach declared one of 10 best U.S. neighborhoods.”
And it is. The vitality of this area is intoxicating. More like New York City than a sleepy “restaurants close at 10pm/bars close at 1:15am” Sunset or Richmond District, North Beach is always awake. You can eat carpaccio at midnight after seeing Beach Blanket Babylon, drink espresso at noon or 3am. And you’ll feel safe: the neighborhood is mixed- multigenerational, multi-ethnic, blue collar and white collar, but is above all peaceful.
Indeed, you could spend several weeks exploring North Beach alone, since here you’ll find Coit Tower, City Lights Book Store, Club Fugazi, Vesuvio and Specs‘;: all famous for their own contribution to times gone by, spanning the cultural movements of San Francisco from World War II to the age of the supper club to emergence of the Beat Poets. Yet turn down a single street to find yourself walking on Fisherman’s Wharf. Or turn onto Grant street and walk into Chinatown. The Financial District and Union Square are also within arm’s reach.
Okay, yes, we must give a nod the reality that in an actual Italian burg, the weather would probably be more reliable: real seasons and all that. But in truth, North Beach boasts some of the most stable, and sunny, weather in San Francisco- not to mention more strip clubs per square foot than any other part of the city.
See? Something for everyone.
Want to make North Beach your home? Me too. Here are some choices (I urge you to consider a garage as very desirable since parking is uber-competitive when everyone wants to visit your neighborhood).
2/2 condo for $879,000 at 530 Chestnut, Unit C
2/2 condo for $959,000 at 150 Lombard, #802
1/1 condo for $539,000 at 240 Lombard, #629
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photo credit: Frederic Larson/Chronicle
