Exploring North Beach and Greenwich Steps in San Francisco

 

North Beach or Little Italy in San Francisco is always a popular venue for tourists visiting the area, having a meal and walking around the neighborhoods. It’s always busy and a great place for people watching on Columbus street, the main thoroughfare with sidewalk cafes lining both sides of the street. It’s nice to visit friends and hang out for a bit to enjoy an espresso and some nice Italian dessert like some tiramisu or how about a cannolli – yes please! Go out in the city and spend some time exploring North Beach and Greenwich Steps in San Francisco.

What to do and see at North Beach and Greenwich Steps

 

Grant street walk North Beach and Greenwich Steps in San Francisco

Grant street walk

 

 

It’s all about the people watching on busy Columbus street, the heart of Little Italy. I’m hanging out with my friend Colleen and her Libai at one of her favorite pastry shops and yes, there is a lot of Italian pastry shops here to discover.

 

Hanging out at North Beach with friend Coleen and sweet Libai

Hanging out at North Beach with friend Coleen and sweet Libai

 

 

The back streets in North Beach are still unique and keep their quirky neighborhood charm and local stores that cater mostly to locals and tourists that just happen into the back streets.  Long ago noted as a beatnik and artsy community in San Francisco’s hey day – the area around Grant Street and Coit tower are relatively quiet outside of weekends when day trippers and tourist both converge in the area and cruise the neighborhood.

 

Art galleries in North Beach

Art galleries in North Beach

 

Cool and funky stuff on Grant Street

Funky art galleries, vintage shops and cool fashion stores can be found on Grant street which is quiet during the weekdays, but really starts hopping on Friday and the weekend.

 

 

A cool bull dog in a store front in North Beach

A cool bull-dog in a store front in North Beach

 

 

A cool iron gate in North Beach

A cool iron gate in North Beach

 

The Stairs of San Francisco

No visit is complete to North Beach without walking up the Greenwich or Filbert Steps up to Coit Tower where a gorgeous panorama of San Francisco bay awaits those that make the uphill trek to the tower and go up to the observation area. Just on the other side of Coit Tower are the two hidden garden neighborhoods of Greenwich steps and Filbert Steps. Today we are going to go down the Greenwich steps and check out the quaint little community gardens in the area.

 

Climb up Greenwich to Coit Tower

Climb up Greenwich to Coit Tower

 

 

The Greenwich stairs to the community gardens

The Greenwich stairs to the community gardens

 

 

Tiger garden on Greenwich Steps in North beach

Tiger garden on Greenwich Steps in North beach

 

This garden is lovingly called the Tiger  garden because the neighbors have something special living in the garden below, can you see it? It has a gorgeous vista of the gardens and the view to the bay below.

 

The tiger in the tiger garden on Greenwich Steps

The tiger in the tiger garden on Greenwich Steps

 

A community garden taken care of by the local gardeners in the neighborhood. Many of the plants are donated to the garden from various nurseries and donors – adding to the colorful variety of plants and flowers in this magical garden. A nice dirt path takes you on a small tour through this intimate and special place to meditate and enjoy the magnificent views.

 

Two sweet chairs greet you at the Tiger garden

Two sweet chairs greet you at the Tiger garden

 

Don’t you just love entering gates and arbors filled with roses like these?

 

Entry arbor at the Tiger garden in Greenwich Steps

Entry arbor at the Tiger garden in Greenwich Steps

 

Sculpture created by local artists punctuate different spots along the steps and add a moment for the visitor to stop, contemplate and enjoy the artwork provided along the discovery.

 

 

 

Mosaic maiden on Greenwich Steps

Mosaic maiden on Greenwich Steps

 

 

Frog on jeweled pedestal

Frog on jeweled pedestal

 

 

I don’t know what it is about visiting special places like this – everything just slows down and things are so easy to enjoy in this place – even the people you meet visiting or living in the area are very friendly and relaxed, including their frisky pets hiding in the tall grasses below.

 

A doggie hideout in Greenwish Steps

A doggie hideout in Greenwich Steps

 

 

Did I mention how wonderful the view is when you start to see openings from the stairs out into San Francisco bay – wow! The views to Treasure Island in the middle are so beautiful despite the hazy cloudy day today.

 

Views to Treasure Island from Greenwich Steps

Views to Treasure Island from Greenwich Steps

 

If you enjoyed this post, please do check out these other posts on visiting San Francisco

Places to eat in San Francisco

20 quirky, fun and trendy places to visit in San Francisco

San Francisco views from above

The cool stairs of San Francisco

Gardens at Golden Gate Park

Fun and unusual things to do in San Francisco

Mission district food tour

Cool graffiti at Clarion Alley

Exploring North Beach and the Greenwich steps

Filbert Steps from Coit tower

20 quirky and fun places to explore in San Francisco

Best views to photograph in San Francisco

Did you enjoy visiting North Beach and Greenwich steps, pretty cool place right? Now how do we get up that hill in the least amount of time possible – Ah taxi please!

 

Thanks for visiting today and checking out this post on North Beach and Greenwich Steps in San Francisco, if you enjoyed the images and post, could you please share it with any of the social media buttons located around the post.

If you like what you see, come and check out my other social media channels for more updates, including Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter

 

Sharing is caring!