I'm curious to know more about the North Beach neighborhood. I've heard about City Lights and some cafes, but usually people say it's great to walk around... But how so? There don't seem to be many specific "sightseeing" places. Are there special buildings or views or stores to browse in? An overall "vibe"? What makes people love this neighborhood?

Sorry, should've specified... North Beach in San Francisco! Thanks.

North Beach is the Italian area, with Italian restaurants (food, wine, chocolates) and imported food. Also Washington square, park-like, and the church. In the evening - bars, performances. Beach Blanket Babylon is in the area.

Faina's pretty well described it. But if nothing else, the smell alone is worth a walk through.

Good descriptions so far. I love heading to North Beach when I'm in San Francisco, mainly because it's charming and real. And why not have some "down time" where you're not seeing The Sights, but just strolling and taking in the real City?

One of my favorite things to do in North Beach is to have a picnic in Washington Square Park. Pick up a panini on Columbus Ave. and then sit in the park and eat it. On a nice day, this is some of the best people watching in town. I also have two restaurant tips for the neighborhood:

Steps of Rome
348 Columbus Ave. (near the corner of Columbus & Broadway)
This little Italian restaurant serves up wonderful and authentic food. They have both a trattoria and a café. We chose to eat in the trattoria for dinner, which is a small space right off the sidewalk—a great spot for people-watching that also feels intimate. I had a fettucine con pollo that was simple and wonderful. The pasta and fish dishes ordered by others in our party were also delicious. Don’t miss their tiramisu for dessert. It’s very good.

Stella Pastry Café
446 Columbus Ave
Just a block north of Steps of Rome is a wonderful pastry shop where you should stop for a cannoli if you’re in the neighborhood. Their pasty case is filled with the most gorgeous baked goods and the little shop is always packed with people. Highly recommended.

Oh, and there is that historical book shop... or is it closed now?

You've pretty much got the lowdown already. North Beach doesn't have many "sights," it's true---Coit Tower is pretty much the only one. To me, walking the neighborhood always makes me feel like I'm on vacation. On sunny days, the sidewalk tables are full of folks sipping wine or cappuccino and soaking up the atmosphere. The food might not be the absolute best in town, but with all the visitors and locals, the place has a great relaxed vibe.

Grant Avenue, the city's oldest street, has some terrific boutiques where local designers showcase their wares, great jumble/antique shops (Aria's a highlight), and some old-time saloons and delis. The famous boho cafe Trieste is always a treat, very old school with folks sketching instead of plugged into laptops.

Regarding buildings, Francis Ford Coppola's Sentinel Building, at the corner of Columbus and Kearny, is gorgeous: old-school flatiron with a lovely green patina. And while there are great views all over town, those at Coit Tower are good (especially if those trees have been trimmed). The walk down the Filbert Steps from there is one of my favorite SF experiences: lovingly tended gardens around the old, striking houses that perch on Telegraph Hill. The wild parrots that perch in the trees there are a quirky touch.

The bars in this neighborhood are really user-friendly---no attitude, not yuppie, but hip and fun all the same. Some of my favorites are Tosca (the jukebox is full of opera and Sinatra, and celebrity sightings here are common---Coppola's building is just across the street, so local friends like Sean Penn and Nick Cage seem to pop up fairly often), the Basque Hotel on Romolo Place, Vesuvio for old Barbary Coast atmosphere, and tiny Spec's for a trip back to the days when this neighborhood was full of sailors. And it's a very safe area, so pub-crawling here is mellow.

The new Beat Museum is a kick, if you're into that kind of thing. Jerry, who runs the place, is really knowledgeable and loves talking about the era.

Molinari's Deli makes some of the best Italian sandwiches in town, and the shop reminds me of delis in Italy. You grab your bread out of a barrel and a number and wait for the loud, friendly Italian guys behind the counter to make your enormous sandwich. I usually take mine to Washington Square Park. Or I get a sandwich from Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store, across from the park---it also has a great, vintage San Francisco feel.

If you're in town for big-name sights, this isn't really the place, but for a relaxed, holiday vibe, this neighborhood is hard to beat, like NY's Little Italy on a nice day. Enjoy your trip!

And FainaAgain, I'm not sure what bookstore you're talking about?

CityLights on Columbus

Another vote for both Molinari's Deli and Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store (especially their meatball sandwich). The church (St. Peters and Pauls) is where Joe Dimaggio married Marilyn Monroe. Get some coffee at Cafe Trieste, eat some North Beach Pizza, check out the little crowded record store. There's lots to do.

The church is great indeed, but it's not where Joe and Marilyn tied the knot---as divorcees, the church wouldn't have it, but they did take their photos there. : )

I think Joe and Marilyn got married in the City Hall (interesting free tours, I recommend!) and only took pictures outside the church, no?

Hey- is Cafe Puccini still on Columbus? When Iived in SFO in the late '80s I spent many evenings and weekend afternoons there with a cup of coffee and the paper. I'm returning in two weeks, and it's at the top of my visit list!

FainaAgain's right, Joe and Marilyn got married at City Hall. And yes, Cafe Puccini is still there---many happy returns!

North Beach does have a distinct, welcoming vibe.

The views from the terraces on the climb at Filbert are memorable, you might say breath-taking, as are the views from the Coit Tower.

We enjoyed the fare at the Steps of Rome, though I would not call the setting intimate. The noise/music level exceeded 100 decibels, and the tables were inches apart. Very accommodating though: their announced policy was cash only, though they accepted a credit card for dinner.

Hi bicoastgal, North Beach is one of the charming old historical neighborhoods of SF. It is not the North Beach of decades ago..but what is? One strong point is that it is often sunny and warm when other parts of SF are cold and/or foggy. It is lowkeyed and casual. Well maybe not lowkeyed on weekend nights lol but it is fun.
Another place to see a great view is when heading north on Columbus (from Broadway) turn left on Vallejo and walk down the half block and on the right is the SFPD station and the parking lot. Go up to the top floor of the parking lot (which is uncovered). You will see a great view!! BTW, if you have a car that is a great place to park your car.

If you are interested do go inside St. Peter's and Paul's Church. Also at Columbus and Vallejo, to the right, is the old church which is now the Shrine to St. Francis. You might want to visit there also. Evidently that street will become like a typical Italian piazza..that will be lovely.
You have received a lot of good suggestions..enjoy..and tell us what you think after your visit.

Thank you so much for these descriptions, especially the cafe recommendations and the info on the steps! Will definitely make this part of my trip.