Belden Place facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belden Place
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 Belden Place
Location in San Francisco
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| City | San Francisco |
Belden Place is a small, lively alley in the Financial District of San Francisco, California. It's known as the heart of the city's small French American community. This special street is famous for its delicious restaurants and European feel.
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Where is Belden Place?
People sometimes call this street Belden Lane or Belden Alley. It's in a neighborhood often called San Francisco's French Quarter. This name comes from its history with early French immigrants. Today, it's still home to popular French restaurants and cultural spots. Belden Place runs south from Pine Street to Bush Street. It is located between Montgomery and Kearny streets. You can find it just south of the Bank of America tower. It sits roughly between Chinatown and the Financial District.
A Look Back: Belden Place's Story
Belden Place is named after Josiah Belden. He was an important pioneer in California and the first mayor of San Jose. Belden was also a successful real estate businessman. He owned parts of the land where Belden Place is today.
French Settlers and the Gold Rush
This area was home to San Francisco's first French settlers. About 3,000 French people arrived in 1851. They came near the end of the Gold Rush, sponsored by the French government. These early settlers shared Dupont Street (now Grant Avenue) with Chinese settlers. They were often more understanding of their Chinese neighbors' concerns. French writer Alexandre Dumas, père even wrote about Chinese cooks trying out French cuisine in 1852. This French community stayed strong, even as many other immigrants arrived. People from China, Italy, and Ireland also moved into the area.
What Makes Belden Place Special?
Belden Place is a one-lane street, only one block long. It's famous for its many restaurants. In 1990, two restaurant owners, Olivier Azancot and Eric Klein, opened Cafe Bastille. This restaurant helped create the modern, lively feel of the area.
Delicious Food and European Charm
The restaurants here serve French, Italian, and Catalan food. They are very popular with locals, tourists, and people who work nearby. Many consider them some of the best casual European restaurants in the city. Some well-known restaurants on Belden Place include Sam's Grill, Cafe Bastille, Cafe Tiramisu, Plouf, B44, Belden Taverna, and Brindisi Cucina di Mare.
French Culture Nearby
Close to Belden Place, you'll find other French-related places. These include Café de la Presse, a favorite spot for many important city figures. There's also the Alliance Française, which promotes French language and culture. The French consulate is also nearby. The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church still holds mass in French. It also has an elementary school. You can find more French cafes, hotels, and restaurants along Bush Street and Claude Lane.
Outdoor Dining and Celebrations
Belden Place has a special, joyful atmosphere. Because of the weather and available space, no other San Francisco neighborhood has such a lively street dining scene. The lane is closed to cars. Instead, it fills with tables, chairs, umbrellas, and heaters for lunch and dinner. At night, the street glows with candles and Christmas lights strung overhead. Restaurants often have friendly hosts inviting people to dine. Every year, Belden Place hosts a big Bastille Day celebration. It's the largest one in the nation. During this event, Bush Street is even temporarily renamed Buisson.
