Welcome to the neighborhood: North Beach (photo essay)

North Beach was once an actual beach before landfill covered the northeastern side of San Francisco. Today, this “little Italy” sits adjacent to Fisherman’s Wharf and at times seems about to be swallowed up by Chinatown. Open spaces are at a premium in North Beach, as apartments, cafes and restaurants are stacked on top and around each other. But, if you look closely enough, you’ll see how people find creative ways to relax and use this confined space. Though North Beach has lost most of its Italian-American residents, it still has a character all its own. From the Saints Peter and Paul Church, where Joe DiMaggio’s first wedding was held, to the decadent red-light district lined with bars and clubs, there’s something for everyone to explore. Every step is as eclectic as the culturally diverse San Francisco population. To view captions, click the “full screen” viewing function on the bottom right-hand corner.