Read all about it - a literary themed evening

Discover San Francisco’s rich literary heritage while enjoying some of the city’s best bars.

Theme
Food & Drink
Location
North Beach, San Francisco
Duration
5 hours 30 minutes
Designer
Barry Pickard

Experience

Your route starts at the iconic City Lights Bookstore, a pioneer and supporter of the beatnik literary movement. Peruse the shelves, checking out the classics as well as the new wave of independent and world literature. Maybe purchase a title and enjoy a read within the historic haunt of the beatnik poets - the Vesuvio Cafe, which neighbours the bookstore. On the way to the cafe, venture into Jack Kerouac Alley and delight in the ever changing and colourful street art, much of which refers to the literary history of the city. After finishing your drink at the cafe, hail a robotaxi to take you to your next stop, Local Edition. This newspaper-themed cocktail bar, set in the basement of the former San Francisco Examiner printing works, will whisk you away to the days of William Randolph Hearst. Then take the short walk to Novela and enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, while spotting references to your literary heroes. To end your night on a high, hail another robotaxi and visit the legendary late-night Grubstake Diner. Delight in the diner’s tasty treats while discussing your literary evening or perhaps finishing that book you purchased earlier.

Route

City Lights Bookstore

City Lights is an independent bookstore-publisher that specializes in world literature, the arts, and progressive politics.

Jack Kerouac Alley

Jack Kerouac Alley is an inviting pedestrian-only thoroughfare complete with decorative lampposts and poetry from eastern and western cultures.

Vesuvio Cafe

Historic bar founded in 1948 by Henri Lenoir, and a favorite hangout of Beat Generation luminaries such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Neal Cassady.

Robotaxi

Take a taxi to Local Edition.

Local Edition

Underground lounge with a vintage newspaper theme.

Novela

Stylish cocktail bar which has been influenced by both classic and modern literary heroes.

Robotaxi

Take a taxi to Grubstake Diner.

Grubstake Diner

Located inside an old train car, this diner served burgers, steaks and shakes all through the night.

Practicalities

  • Designed for Waymo robotaxis (Sign up to their waitlist via Waymo app)
  • We are not affiliated with any taxi booking platforms. Book & pay for your taxis directly (we will tell you when)

About

This route was designed by Barry Pickard in collaboration with Uptaste.

Barry Pickard

Specialising in European and North American destinations, as well as a number of other countries around the world, I have designed self-guided tours for city based visits; multi-stop road trips; family, group and couples vacations; as well as themed excursions. Experienced in designing walking tours, driving tours and robotaxi experiences. A history graduate, with a great eye for detail, my passion for travel and research has found its apogee in designing fun, interesting and thoughtful trips

https://www.tailormadeitineraries.com/

Uptaste

What is Uptaste? We’re something like a travel agency business (although we don’t sell flights or hotels). Instead, we specialise in finding the right place to eat, wherever and whenever you are, using location intelligence combined with expert and community curation. Uptaste destinations will rarely be restaurants; they’ll be shops, they’ll be street traders, they’ll be local markets, or some other easy-to-miss but hard-to-forget place.

https://www.uptaste.com