The Barbary Coast Trail is hard to miss if you’ve ever walked around The FiDi, Chinatown or North Beach. You’ve probably seen one of the 150 bronze placards embedded in the sidewalks while you’re boppin’ around. Stretching across 4 miles of San Francisco, this walk is mostly on flat ground with a gentle slope in some spots you’ll barely even notice.

This is a self-guided walking tour, you can follow along the trail via those aforementioned bronze placards which have arrows on them to indicate which direction you should be walking in. Following the arrows through the city you’ll also find that there are some great eats and fun along the way – here are some of my favorites.

This mostly flat tour is through some of the most historic and iconic parts of San Francisco, making it a wonderful way to see the city and this guide will help you see the city while dining on a budget and visiting some of my favorite places.

Where’d these placques come from?

When did the trail come to SF? Well, in 1994, Daniel Bacon decided that he wanted to start the trail after he went on Boston’s Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail meanders you through some of the historically significant parts of Boston. Aiming to showcase San Francisco’s rich history, Bacon collaborated with the San Francisco Historical Society and spent six years obtaining permits and securing funds for the project. Funds helped create and embed the 150 medallions and arrows along the trail which went into the ground over 20 years ago in 2000. The trail highlights significant sites such as the Old Mint, Union Square, and Maiden Lane, alongside locations associated with the Beat Generation. Notable stops include the Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, T’ien Hou Temple, and the Wells Fargo History Museum.

Where to Start The Trail:

Start the tour at one of the Powell Street Cable Car turnarounds. To navigate the tour, you can download an audio tour from the official Barbary Coast Trail website or join in on one of their tours if you want some company along the way. Personally, I like the idea of navigating it on foot on my own via Google Maps and at my own pace using this Google map of the trail which showcases some of the most historical stops along the way. That way, I can stop and start whenever I want and maybe even break the tour into multiple days.

This Google map starts off at Ghirardelli Square but I like starting from the Union Square area and Chinatown. Mostly because you’re closer to some breakfast-friendly spots and it works better if you start there in the morning and end over at Fisherman’s Wharf for a cocktail and light dinner at Scoma’s.

Eats & Fun Along The Barbary Coast Trail

Chinatown: 

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Since 1962, San Francisco’s legendary Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory has been making custom fortune cookies by hand! It’s fun to walk away with a few fresh cookies to pack away for later in the walk.  
Address: 56 Ross Alley, San Francisco, CA 94108
Web: www.goldengatefortunecookies.com

Golden Gate Bakery egg tarts – photo by Jennifer Woodard

Golden Gate Bakery

Golden Gate Bakery has the best egg tarts in the city, hands down. There are rumors that they are not sure how long they will continue to stay open. Don’t miss out and try to get your hands on some before they close. There are some tips in this Eater article on how to secure fresh tarts.
Address: 1029 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Web: www.atlasobscura.com

Li Po Cocktail Lounge

This place is actually pretty famous for their MiTai.
Address: 916 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
Web: www.atlasobscura.com

North Beach

Couple of these are on the edge of The FiDi before you are truly inside SF’s iconic North Beach.

Yo Yo’s

A little note about Yo Yo’s. It’s for sure a lesser known place and has weekday hours but it’s some of the tastiest noodle soup you’ll have for less than $10.
Address: 318 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94111

Réveille Coffee Co.

These guys started off in a truck and have expanded to several locations with their amazing coffee.
Address: 200 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Web: reveillecoffee.com

Specs’ Cheese and Crackers is a must when you’re in the area and need a snack – photo from the Specs’ website

Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe

Known simply as Specs’, this dive has the coziest environment. Get the crackers n cheese as a snack with a beer on tap. They cut the cheese from a massive wheel and you end up with saltines but it’s a snack that has so many memories. When you’re ready for a second cocktail, head across the street to Vesuvio. 
Address: 12 William Saroyan Place, San Francisco, CA 94133
Web: www.specsbarsf.com

Caffe Trieste

Can you tell I love coffee? Caffe Trieste is such a North Beach classic and if you go there you’re sure to run into locals who sit and enjoy the iconic space regularly.
Address: 601 Vallejo St., San Francisco, CA 94133

Caffe Trieste

Molinari Delicatessen

Oh gawd – I’m telling you… these are some of the best sandwiches in the city. If you’re not hungry walking by Molinari’s… get something to go. Truly, just get anything. It would even be nice to take it over to Washington Square and have a mini picnic.
Address: 373 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Web: themolinarideli.com

Golden Boy Pizza

Getting a slice here is an absolute must. No seating so be ready to eat your slice right there. It’s probably my favorite pizza in The Bay, honestly… Tony’s is pretty great, too. It’s just right around the corner if you want something with seating.
Address: 542 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Web: www.goldenboypizza.com

Golden Boy Pizza

Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39

Scoma’s Restaurant

A little note about Scoma’s. While it’s not necessarily the cheapest eat in Fisherman’s Wharf, it’s such a classic in SF that it’s worth treating yourself at the end of a long walk. If you want a cheaper option, get yourself a hot choco at Ghirardelli Square but my choice will always be a cocktail at Scoma’s and some chowder.
Address: 1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133
Web: scomas.com

Musée Mécanique

Address: Pier 45, San Francisco, CA 94133
Web: museemecanique.com

More About The Barbary Coast Trail:

Find out more information here:

https://barbarycoasttrail.org/about-us/
And
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Coast_Trail

Another fun “tour” is to work your way through our beer and wine passports. While we don’t want you to attempt to work your way through the whole thing all at once, you’ll love exploring new and old favorites while enjoying 2-for-1 deals that can’t be beat.