North Beach

North Beach has good Italian food and Beat history in a walkable, safe area. Less touristy than Fisherman's Wharf but still gets crowded on weekends. Good mix of cafes, restaurants, and bars.

North Beach still has that old Italian neighborhood feel, with good espresso bars and family-run restaurants that have been around forever. It's generally safe to walk around during the day and early evening, with enough foot traffic to feel comfortable. The area around Washington Square is nice - you'll see Italian guys playing bocce and the church is beautiful. There's some good pizza and the coffee culture is legit, not the pretentious third-wave stuff you find elsewhere. It gets busier at night with the bar scene, but it's not rowdy like the Marina. The Beat Generation history is cool if you're into that, though it can feel a bit touristy around those spots. It's more authentic than Fisherman's Wharf but not as quiet as the residential areas. Good middle ground for safety and character.