Chinatown
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Good Place to Eat,
Good Place to Shop,
Neighborhood
A city within a city, Chinatown is a historic maze of mysterious sights where an ancient culture from the other side of the world survives and flourishes with remarkable authenticity. You enter the oldest Chinatown in America through Dragon’s Gate, on Grant Avenue at Bush Street. Once you walk through the gate, a 24-block labyrinth of restaurants, markets, temples, and shops unfolds.
Wander through the massive collection of Chinese artifacts at the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, or ponder Thomas Chang’s monumental photographs at the Chinese Cultural Center. You can glimpse skaters practicing revolutionary moves beneath the stature of Sun Yat-sen in St. Mary’s Square or head to Spofford Alley to hear the clicking mah-jong tiles, a Chinese orchestra warming up, or even beauticians gossiping over blow-dryers.
Shoppers can browse the China Bazaar for novelty items or sift through bath toys and paper lanterns at the Far East Flea Market. Hungry? Try out the dim sum places and noodle joints along Stockton Street or wander along side streets of Grant Avenue to find budget basement eateries.
Before you leave Chinatown, stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company, where cookies are stamped out on old-fashioned presses and folded while hot! Get a bag to go.
Latest Reviews
Review by Elaine C, May 2013
Doing what: San Francisco Chinatown Walking Tour
Lynn was a wonderful guide and very knowledgeable!, Totally enjoyed the tour and the beautiful San Francisco day. Saw parts of Chinatown I didn't know existed Ended with a wonderful dim sum lunch!!
Review by Neil H, September 2012
Doing what: San Francisco Chinatown Walking Tour
2 hour walking tour around Chinatown. Tour guide was Linda Lee, who had a real passion for the area, the culture and for passing that information on to us, she was a great communicator. Our party visited a medicine store, food shop, fortune cookie factory and a temple, this gave us a flavour of life in Chinatown. Highly recommended.
Review by Aishling K, July 2012
Doing what: San Francisco Chinatown Walking Tour
Ms Lee's tour is terrific. She really gives you an insight into how Chinatown came to be and what makes it a unique community today
Practical Info
Chinatown is bordered by Broadway, Bush, Kearny, and Stockton streets. The area is easily accessible by buses and cable cars. Street parking is difficult, so it’s best to visit the area on foot. The best spots to explore are all along Stockton and Grant streets, Portsmouth Square, and the alleys that lead off them, like Ross and Waverly.
