"The hidden treasures of San Francisco´s Little Italy"
The mouthwatering flavor of freshly baked “Foccacia” touches my nose while walking down Filbert Street, looking at the beautiful “Saints Peter & Paul” church. North Beach, San Francisco’s Little Italy, does everything to be enchanting and unobtrusive at once. The spirit of this place is present at every street corner. Well known for its culinary highlights, its small bars and restaurants and its pulsating nightlife, North Beach can be seen as a natural counterpart to the Piers of Fisherman’s Wharf and the busy streets of Chinatown.
After the devastating earthquake in 1906 Italian immigrants settled at the foot of Telegraph Hill and gave the neighborhood it’s beautiful character. Places like “Graffeo”, where you can find maybe the best freshly roasted coffee on the West Coast, or the “Liguria Bakery” that solely sells the absolute best “Foccacia” in various forms and closes at noon when normally all bread has been sold, contribute to the Italian flair. Tony’s Pizza is the only American winner of the Naples Pizza contest. “Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store”, a tiny family owned and operated bar, where you must stop and try the fantastic meatball sandwich.
The mix of typical San Francisco architecture and Italian lifestyle, spiced with a note of Asian culture creates a unique contrast rarely seen in other neighborhoods. Exploring the streets is like escaping the busy city on a short vacation to Italy. Stop at one of the many bars and have an Espresso or two and just enjoy the Italian “dolce far niente”.
Attribution - Thanks to Barbara Cannella who provided a wonderful city walk and to SFCityWalks.org
Photography by Sebastian Schlueter - Hasselblad 500cm and Fuji X-E2
