A Beatnik’s Guide to North Beach, San Francisco
Vesuvio Cafe
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When thinking about places with a modern literary history to visit, there’s hardly a city in America that can compete with San Francisco as a beatnik’s dream.
Upon a visit to San Francisco, you might want to recreate a day in the life of one of the Beats, or simply walk where they walked and get inspired by the sights and sounds of such a vibrant city. To help out on the journey, here are some spots to check out in the North Beach neighborhood—including a unique hotel, the “best coffee in the city,” home of the $1.00 oyster, the nation’s original infamous independent bookstore, and a bar to satisfy the late-night poet.
To begin your trip, start by reserving a room at Hotel Boheme in the North Beach section of the city. This hotel, originally built in the 1880’s, has been renovated to pay homage to the culture of the late 1950s North Beach. The rooms are full of quirky color and life, reminiscent of the Beat culture of the city. To make your stay even more special, request room number #204, which is known as Allen Ginsberg’s room. As Travel & Leisure magazine writes, “…word is that famous poets (when they’re here) request a view of Columbus Avenue.”
To get perked up for the long day ahead, the locals say that Graffeo Coffee Roasting Company is the best in the city. This coffee spot takes it back to basics, offering their original blend in Dark Roast or Light Roast (and Decaf for those who don’t want caffeine!). If you fall in love with their brew, you can even purchase some coffee to recreate your San Francisco experience back at home!
Hungry for lunch? Hit up Sotto Mare for a taste of the freshest fish that San Francisco has to offer! Slide up to their authentic seafood counter, chit chat with Gigi, the owner, and order yourself some $1.00 oysters! Feel like a part of the neighborhood with the cheerful and inviting wait staff, who can recommend lots of dishes to try, all at fabulous prices.
City Lights, perhaps San Francisco’s most infamous literary landmark, should be a stop on any literati’s vacation! Founded in 1943 by Peter Martin and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, this is the nation’s first all-paperback bookstore. Known for publishing such subversive and challenging material as Allen Ginsberg’s Howl and Other Poems, this is certainly the place to go to pick up something different and culturally stimulating. As Ferlinghetti himself said, “…it is as if the public were being invited, in person and in books, to participate in that ‘great conversation’ between authors of all ages, ancient and modern.”
After picking up your latest literary finds, it’s time to relax and strike up some conversation with modern beatniks at Vesuvio. Established in 1948, this charming historical bar neighboring City Lights was known as a respite for the Beat generation. A famed hangout of Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, tourists and locals alike come here to mingle and feel the history saturating the air around them. Let your intuition steer you to pick a table that Kerouac himself could have chosen, and then let your eyes take in all the Beat memorabilia scattered over the walls. With Beat- themed and new eco-friendly drinks, Vesuvio is a crowd pleaser with its varied selections.
With North Beach full of so many fascinating and historical things to visit and do, it’s hard to pick just a few stops to full up your day! To learn more about the Beats, be sure and stop by The Beat Museum, also in North Beach!
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