A North Beach Walk in San Francisco

To hit the highlights of the neighborhood, start off with a browse at Beat landmark City Lights Bookstore. For cool boutique shopping, head north up Grant Avenue. Otherwise, it's time to get down to the serious business of people-watching. Make a left onto Columbus Avenue when you leave the bookstore and walk the strip until you find a respectable coffee café or pastry display howling your name.

Sugar-loaded, continue down Columbus to Washington Square, where you can walk or take the 39 bus up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower's views. Be sure to take in the gorgeous gardens along the Filbert Steps on the way down. Finally, reward yourself by returning to Columbus Avenue for a drink at one of the atmosphere-steeped watering holes like Vesuvio or Specs'.