You haven’t fully experienced San Francisco’s literary history without a trip to this famous, trinket-stuffed watering hole. It was opened in 1948, just in time to catch all the dissolute Beat writers as they staggered in and out of City Lights, located directly across Jack Kerouac Alley from its front door. In fact, this is where Kerouac and other Beat writers nursed their alcoholism and creative endeavors. Snag a table in the cozy, secluded balcony area overlooking the bar, providing a prime people-watching view.