Trip: San Francisco’s sweetest ‘hood, North Beach

North Beach Garage: 735 Vallejo. Park your car here whether you have a car or not. If you’re on foot, take the elevator up to the lot’s 5th floor, which has the best North Beach views from all angles.

City lights: 261 Columbus. This upscale bookstore, once a hangout for 1950s hits like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, is still going strong and will keep you entertained for hours.

Mora’s Italian pastries: 503 Columbus. Like cannoli? (The line “Take out the gun, out the cannoli” is a line you’ll hear a lot in North Beach. It was used in the classic 1970s movie “The Godfather.”) In my research, Mara, a little hole in the wall bakery. , has the best creamy cannoli in town. The gelato isn’t great – we recommend going next door to the full-service gelato department. Food For more.

Tony’s Pizza Napoliteria: 1570 Stockton. It is also said to have the best pizza anywhere. Long lines often prevent you from getting in, so Tony opens up a small ramp for nearby pieces. But many swear by another takeout joint. Golden Boy Pizza, across from Toney Road at 542 Green Street, where “Being square is hip.” Golden’s Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza, sold by the square slice. You’ll see long lines here too.

Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, by Jefferson Graham for the PhotowalksTV series

Liguria bakery: 1700 Stockton. Like a cold pizza, there are even longer lines here that stretch for blocks on any given morning for this classic Italian plate. This is all the bakery sells, albeit in ten different varieties. The lines are very long, this will be a great opportunity to meet some locals and hear Italian being spoken.

Church of St. Peter and Paul: 666 Philbert. The church in the center of Washington Square has dominated the North Shore since 1924. Regardless of your views on religion, it’s impressive and well worth a visit. It’s where Marilyn Monroe married baseball great Joe DiMaggio in the 1950s. Photo tip: This is one big church. Your best spot for a great shot is from the Vallejo Street parking lot. And it looks especially good at night.

Louisa’s: 759 Columbus. A fantastic Italian restaurant in business since 1959, home of the aforementioned excellent spumoni.

Columbus inn: 1075 Columbus Ave. Free parking, comfortable rooms and location, location, location. Also affordable. You need to stay somewhere in the city – why not in the heart of the North Shore?

Located in the heart of San Francisco, the Columbus Inn San Francisco is an affordable, convenient lodging option for the Photowalks TV series by Jefferson Graham.

Fisherman’s Beach. Full of tourist shops and chain restaurants, it’s Honky Tonky. But at first glance, that’s it. You can take a water taxi or boat for a scenic ride (around $20) under the Golden Gate Bridge for an incredible ride (now that’s a photo op!), which is famous on the right side of the bridge. of boudinFresh-made yeast house and is on the left Good view cafeThe Irish are known for inventing coffee.

In Fisherman’s Wharf, the Powell/Hyde Line waits for customers, and is parked with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. By Jefferson Graham for the PhotowalksTV series

Forget that popularity and b Powell/Hyd A cable car line that starts directly across the street. Here, for $8 one-way, you get the best, unobstructed shot of looking down on Alcatraz Island from Hyde and Lombard. When dealing with the world’s twisty roads, you get a good kick of the road from the car without climbing to the top of the hill, which is tiring.

San Francisco’s Coit Tower, on Telegraph Hill, by Jefferson Graham for the PhotowalksTV series

Besides eating great Italian food and drinking Italian sodas and coffees, many tourists like to visit Coit Towerthe 210-foot Art Deco tower offers a 360-degree view from the top of the city Golden Gate Bridge The Bay Bridge to Marin County leads to Berkeley and the East Bay.

Every time I’m in San Francisco I go to Coit, and I love walking up the hilly streets to get up there. The views are amazing. If you don’t fancy going out, public transport can take you there.

Remember I told you the best free top views are on. Vallejo Parking Garage? This is true. But if you can spare $10, I recommend taking the elevator to the top of the tower. The bush covers most of the parking lot.

San Francisco Skyline from Coit Tower, by Jefferson Graham for the PhotowalksTV series

On my travels around San Francisco, I got the best view of the city skyline from here.

Whether it’s an afternoon, evening, weekend or longer, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy in North Beach. Sadly, many of the old-line Italian restaurants have passed away in recent years, but the good news is, there are still plenty of others still going strong. Go support them and help them reach the next century!