Washington Square Park
The Verdict
"Go straight to Liguria Bakery on the northeast corner. Focaccia sells by the piece and typically sells out around lunchtime."
What you need to know
Washington Square sits at the base of Telegraph Hill in North Beach, a grassy rectangle bounded by Columbus, Filbert, Stockton, and Union.
What to Expect
The park was laid out in 1847, one of the oldest public spaces in San Francisco. Saints Peter and Paul Church stands on the north side, its twin white spires above the trees; Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe posed on the steps after their 1954 wedding, though they married at City Hall. By 7am groups gather for tai chi, and the lawns fill on sunny afternoons (North Beach is one of the city’s sunnier microclimates). A statue of Benjamin Franklin stands at the center, donated in 1879. Restaurants line the surrounding streets; Caffe Trieste is one block east, and Liguria Bakery on the northeast corner sells focaccia by the slab until it sells out, usually by early afternoon. The North Beach Festival takes over the park in June.
Getting There
City Lights and the Beat Museum are two blocks south at Columbus and Broadway. The 30 Stockton and 8 serve North Beach, and the Powell-Mason cable car stops a few blocks away.
Filmed here
Productions the city recorded shooting at or beside Washington Square Park.
- Mason Street at Jackson112m awayGetting Even with Dad 1994
- Powell Street113m awaySwingin’ Along 1961
- John St. between Powell and Mason140m awayChance- Season 1 ep102 2016
From the San Francisco Film Commission permit record.
Explore Nearby
Grubstake
If you're looking for a late night diner experience.
Buena Vista Cafe
The bar that brought Irish coffee to America, perfected here in 1952.
Hang Ah Tea Room
Widely cited as the oldest dim sum restaurant in the United States.
15 Romolo
A North Beach cocktail bar down an alley off Broadway.
