Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pier 39's sea lions bathe, bark, and splash about—all around heart-melting fun.
5
★
Coit Tower.
The 210-foot
(64m) landmark atop Telegraph Hill
was erected in 1933 with $125,000
bequeathed by local character Lillie
Hitchcock Coit, who wished to add
beauty to the city. Inside the tower's
base are murals by several artists,
many of whom studied under Diego
Rivera. Commissioned as part of the
New Deal's WPA, the murals have a
pro-worker motif that caused a stir
in their day. The fee to climb the
tower is worth it: a 360-degree city
view awaits you.
While on Telegraph Hill, look out
for the flock of wild green parrots,
descendents of escapee pets.
@
45
min. From Fisherman's wharf walk or
take bus 39 to Coit Tower.
y
415/
362-0808. Admission to the top
$3.75, $2.50 seniors, $1.50 kids
6-12. Daily 10am-6pm.
6
★★
North Beach.
The immi-
grants from Genoa and Sicily who
founded the Bay Area's fishing indus-
try settled into North Beach in the
1870s—establishing a plethora of Ital-
ian restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.
In the 1950s, the area's cafes and
bars became a haven for writers and
artists from the
Beat Generation
(p 30). Today the neighborhood is
a combination of Mediterranean
warmth and bohemian spirit. For
more on this area, see p 52.
@
1-2
hr. From Coit Tower walk; or take bus
39 to Washington Sq. Best Mon-Sat
from 11am-4pm. Sundays and early
mornings shops are closed.
7
Mario's Bohemian Cigar
Store.
Pick up sandwiches and
enjoy them in
Washington Square
Park
(p 54, bullet
5
) across the
street.
566 Columbus Ave. (at Union
St.).
y
415/362-0536. $
8
Chinatown.
The most densely
populated neighborhood in San
Francisco, Chinatown is home to
over 14,000 residents. Take a walk
down Grant Street to find shops
filled with creative, eclectic knick-
knacks. Chinatown locals shop on
Stockton Street, which is teeming
with grocery stores, herb shops,
and vendors of ceremonial
items. (See p 58 for a
complete tour of this
colorful neighborhood
.)
@
1-2 hr.
Coit Tower crowns
Telegraph Hill.
