Join the behind-the-scenes tour of North Beach's first ever food and history tour. Enjoy tasting great local foods, see how these culinary delights are prepared, and learn all the details of the history of this lively neighborhood.
Pass By: Columbus Tower (Sentinel Building)
Stops at: City Lights Booksellers and Publishers
Pass by: Jack Kerouac Alley
Stop At: Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant (Appetizer Taste)
Stop at: National Sanctuary of Saint Francis of Assisi
Stop at: Washington Square
Stop at: Golden Boy Pizza or Giovanni's (sample pizza or focaccia)
Stop at: Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
Stop At: Victoria Pastry (Italian Cookies)
916 Kearny St, San Francisco at 1:45 pm
Please be at the meeting point: 15 minutes before the tour starts at 2pm (entrance to Zootrope Cafe)
There is no hotel pick-up for this tour.
Join the behind the scenes of the first North Beach (Little Italy neighborhood) history and food tour. Enjoy tasting high-quality local foods, see how these culinary delights are made, and discover all the details of the history of this lively neighborhood.
Columbus Tower (Sentinel Building)
Our first stop will be at the distinctive copper-green Flatiron-style building that was completed in 1907, currently home to the Zoetrope film studio since 1972, co-founded by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas.
Stops at: City Lights Booksellers and Publishers
Enjoy the interior of this shop and discover the rich "beat generation", Jack Kerouac or Allen Ginsberg.
Jack Kerouac Alley
Have your camera ready to take photos of Jack Kerouac Alley, with its famous murals and treats.
Mona Lisa
The tour continues with a delicious stop at the Mona Lisa restaurant, where you will have the chance to taste some sort of appetizers. Our guide will take the opportunity to explain to you all the different origins of the food you will taste.
National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi
Our second stop will be in the heart of San Francisco's historic North Beach neighborhood, at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Your guide will explain the history of the exquisite murals executed by turn-of-the-century Italian painter and illustrator Luigi Brusatori that vividly portray the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
Washington Square
While tasting the pastries and coffee from Stella Caffe, we will visit the surroundings of Washington Square where we will talk about the history of the statues in the park and why there are time capsules buried in the park!
Golden Boy Pizza or Giovanni's (depending on availability)
Our next stop will be at Golden Boy Pizza, where we will have the chance to grab a bite of one of the best pizzas in town or enjoy the best focaccia in San Francisco.
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
Learn about the history of the "Italian Cathedral" of San Francisco
Victoria Bakery
Get ready for our final stop at Victoria Bakery, a North Beach institution for great Italian biscuits.