• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-299391431689
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/california/san-francisco/north-beach-chinatown",
  "destination": "North-Beach-&-Chinatown",
  "title": "north-beach-chinatown",
  "type": "Neighborhood",
  "neighborhood": "North-Beach-&-Chinatown",
  "city": "San-Francisco",
  "region": "Americas",
  "country": "USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
Add us on

North Beach & Chinatown

Dumplings and rare teas are served under pagoda roofs on Chinatown's main streets – but its historic back alleys are filled with temple incense, mah-jongg tile clatter and distant echoes of revolution. Wild parrots circle over the Italian cafes and bohemian bars of North Beach, serving enough espresso to fuel your own Beat poetry revival.
A steep street lined with pastel houses and parked cars leads toward North Beach, with Coit Tower on a wooded hill beyond.

Sabrina Dalbesio/Lonely Planet

Book
App
World Nomads travel insurance
Trusted Partner

Dreaming of North Beach & Chinatown? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Book your United States trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

See United States how it's meant to be seen

Planned by local experts and tailored to you, Lonely Planet Journeys handles the logistics so you can just enjoy the trip. Tell us what you want and we'll build your United States itinerary from scratch, or browse our bookable trips to get inspired.

Start planning Browse itineraries

Top places to visit in North Beach & Chinatown

Discover the best attractions in North Beach & Chinatown from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-834404024549
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/california/san-francisco/north-beach-chinatown",
  "destination": "North-Beach-&-Chinatown",
  "title": "north-beach-chinatown",
  "type": "Neighborhood",
  "neighborhood": "North-Beach-&-Chinatown",
  "city": "San-Francisco",
  "region": "Americas",
  "country": "USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in North Beach & Chinatown

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-390398817614
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/california/san-francisco/north-beach-chinatown",
  "destination": "North-Beach-&-Chinatown",
  "title": "north-beach-chinatown",
  "type": "Neighborhood",
  "neighborhood": "North-Beach-&-Chinatown",
  "city": "San-Francisco",
  "region": "Americas",
  "country": "USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}