Important Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.
Planning a trip to San Francisco?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
The Beat Museum
Museum and Bookstore
North Beach, San Francisco
"Beat Generation and the literature"(3 Tips)
"Loved it here :D Make sure you get a Jack Kerouac shirt!"(2 Tips)
"museum dedicated to the Beat Generation"(2 Tips)
"comprehensive collection of Beat memorabilia"(2 Tips)
27 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- literature
- jack kerouac
- beat generation
- documentaries
- shirts
- (3 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Sophie XuSeptember 26, 2018Talk to the owner! He’s very knowledgeable about that era and amicable to make recommendations. Decent and very interesting collectibles. Make sure you check out their discount books.
NowgalJuly 4, 2014I totally enjoyed this museum, was greeted as soon as I walked and everyone was so friendly offering lots of information. Really cool memorabilia and I had lots of fun looking at buying old records.
Tom FosgardNovember 11, 2016This is a museum that will really speak to some people (like it did to me) but I'm not sure it is for everyone. It's small and a little grimy and rickety -- just like it ought to be. I was inspired.- Tom EvansApril 7, 2013ON THE ROAD and HOWL changed my life. A must for anyone who loves the Beat Generation and the literature, art, and music of that time. And if you haven't experienced yet. GO and by On The Road. :-)
- Jean TelferMay 21, 2013Good introduction to an important time in american literature. Is a bit small or low key, kind of a museum on a budget but if you're a fan of the beats or just curious about them I think worth it.
- CarolynAugust 23, 2011A museum dedicated to the Beat Generation, which grew right here in North Beach. A fantastic collection of Beat memorabilia that will take you back to this important time in literary history.
Eli HickoxMay 28, 2019Unique little museum. Great bookstore in the front with rare first editions for sale as well as cheap used books- Contemporary Jewish MuseumJuly 6, 2013Home to a comprehensive collection of Beat memorabilia including Allen Ginsberg’s typewriter, Jack Kerouac’s plaid wool shirt, and a myriad of vintage copies of Beat literature.
Raven DorantesApril 27, 2012Was never a huge Beat fan, but the tour is well worth it if one is interested in the literary and attendant social change in this movement. Fantastic!- Contemporary Jewish MuseumAugust 12, 2013This place is full of treasures old and new, such as Allen’s typewriter, Jack’s jacket, and even the car used in the recent "On The Road" movie.
- Nancy AnnSeptember 1, 2014It's a bit rinky dink & a little sad. But fun and interesting, Jack& Neil RIP.
I miss the big used bookstore that was here, but they still have a bathtub full of used mysteries -3 for $5
Jared RousselDecember 16, 2016Random. What even is this place? Should be a porn store instead. Maybe it was.
163 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
The Beat Museum
540 Broadway (btwn Columbus Ave & Kearny St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States
Closed until 10:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
(800) 537-6822
See More
You might also like
- 7.9
"Do not miss their exhibitions, they are always excellent. My children got mesmerized by their exhibition on traditional Jewish Plates. Who could have guessed?"
lydie thomas - 6.8
"Great insight into the neighborhood in a well-presented, engaging exhibit that could take you 15 minutes or 45 depending on your level of interest."
Alex Dobyan 
"Take Italian classes here -- they're small classes taught by native Italian speakers and are a great value."
Suki K
Places people like to go after The Beat Museum
Appears on 99 lists
Created by Kino
274 items • 5 followers
Created by Corinne and Jonathan
6 items • 7 followersCreated by Charlie Wärendh
204 items • 5 followers
