I don’t think anyone will question the fact that San Francisco has a romantic essence to it. Sure, it’s been depicted in movies and television, and maybe that has influenced us on some level. Over the years, I’ve found one particular neighborhood that delivers that essence in droves, this neighborhood being Telegraph Hill/North Beach. I think I’ve fallen in love with this neighborhood, in large part due to its history. It’s tangible, and its resonance evokes questions and instantly makes one wish they had a personal SF historian to answer such questions.

I’ve spent many afternoons traipsing around this neighborhood and every time it’s so amazingly beautiful. Words can’t even describe it, really. I get infected with its drunken state of beauty. It feels Mediterranean; the smells of focaccia waft as you pass Liguria’s bakery, Goorin Bros. Hat Shop always bouncing with dapper men, the dive bar with endless stories, and of course, the perfectly lined Italian restaurants on Columbus Ave, makes for the best people-watching.

With all these images and smells to take in, you might find yourself missing something quite special. Nestled sweetly on a hill between apartment buildings is a very charming and delightful hole-in-the-wall coffee spot. Its name is appropriately called Hole in the Wall Coffee. Its weathered and rustic façade faces the sidewalk and has a trimmed menu for your go-to coffee specials. There are usually two wooden stools placed outside. It’s perfect for you and a friend.