North Beach Neighborhood

Near Chinatown is San Francisco, California's North Beach neighborhood. This section of San Francisco was known by Little Italy until the 1980s, when it was renamed. The population of the neighborhood was once Italian Americans; however, it is more diversified today. The only aspects of the area remaining as Little Italy are all the Italian restaurants. It was also once a center for the beatnik subculture, which has also moved on.

Today it is considered the main red light and nightlife region of the city. It is populated by many young families and Chinese immigrants. North Beach is bordered by Barbary Coast, or Jackson Square, the Financial District, and the aforementioned Chinatown. Russian Hill, Green Street, Telegraph Hill and Bay Street are also nearby. A few of the homes are from the Victorian era.

The Italian cafes and restaurants are a big draw to the neighborhood. There is a shrine of Francis of Assisi, with a reproduction of the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. City Lights Bookstore is a well known and famous bookstore of San Francisco once visited by Jack Kerouac. The North Beach Street Fair is one of the most popular times to visit the neighborhood.