North Beach is a neighborhood in the northeast of San Francisco adjacent to Chinatown, the Financial District, and Russian Hill. The neighborhood is San Francisco's "Little Italy" and has historically been home to a large Italian American population. A buzzy neighborhood steeped in Italian heritage, draws locals and tourists to its checked-tablecloth trattorias, coffee shops and retro-flavored bars. The spirit of the Beat Generation can be felt at the storied City Lights bookstore and the memorabilia-filled Vesuvio Cafe bar.
North Beach has become one of San Francisco's main nightlife districts as well as a residential neighborhood populated by a mix of young urban professionals, and families.The American Planning Association (APA) has named North Beach as one of ten "Great Neighborhoods in America."