Country: united-states
Whether you’re a foodie, a fan of the beat poet era, or a cross-culture enthusiast, this livestream tour is for you! Join me as I take you through two of the most iconic neighborhoods in San Francisco, certain to make your top-ten must-see list! You’ll be able to ask me questions and chat with fellow participants as we explore the famous sites of Chinatown and North Beach.Chinatown. We’ll start our live virtual walking tour where the city once began as a distant outpost of Mexico, the village of Yerba Buena. Now Chinatown’s biggest open space - Portsmouth Square – it is also the area’s unofficial “living room.” The most densely populated 30 square blocks outside of Manhattan take us uphill to Waverly Place, home to the oldest Chinese temple in North America.Crossing to the once-notorious Ross Alley for a stop at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, we’ll learn about the origins of this tasty San Francisco invention. The commercial hub of Jackson Street takes us past traditional Chinese herbalists and the savory snacks of dim sum shops, down to Grant Avenue, Chinatown’s impressive main street.North Beach. A sudden transition into Jack Kerouac Alley introduces us to the literary legacy of North Beach and its Beat Generation poets and writers whose works populate the shelves of the legendary City Lights bookstore. Broadway will take us past now-shuttered nightclubs that once buzzed with the sounds of jazz and the sights of America’s first striptease acts. A mere block away from the profane is an encounter with the sacred; the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi. The same sanctity is often said about the cappuccino of Caffe Trieste, found in Little Italy where they take their caffeination and are proudly Starbucks-free.As we go further into the neighborhood, you’ll learn about the 1906 Earthquake & Fire that devastated the city and the Italian immigrant whose bank helped rebuild San Francisco. The bustling restaurant row of Green Street features fresh seafood from the Pacific caught by the fishermen of the wharf and prepared Sicilian-style – hope you like garlic!Our tour (almost) finishes up with a walk around the heart of North Beach, Washington Square; an open-air escape from the cramped apartments the district is known for. But first - pizza! On a corner of the square is the famous Tony’s Pizza Napolitana, run by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani. It has become a required stop in San Francisco and a mecca for pizza lovers. Patrons often pick up a slice before crossing the street to lounge on a blanket and watch the world go by on the square. The main church of the Italian Community can also be found here - Saint Peter and Paul’s. It is most famous for a wedding that didn’t happen. We’ll end with a stop by Victoria Pastry, known for its cannoli and tiramisu, and famed Sacripantina – as sponge cake filled with heavenly zabaglione cream. This landmark spot has been indulging North Beach’s sweet tooth for over 100 years.I look forward to sharing the great vibe and beautiful tapestry of these neighborhoods with you on this live-stream virtual tour!
Highlights: San Francisco, United States
Your guide: Dominic D'orazi