You probably already know that San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Well, during a visit to the City by the Bay, these 24 city blocks make up one of the main destinations in the city. You can spend half a day eating dim sum, shopping for souvenirs, and perhaps you may forget for a moment that you are in America.
It was founded in 1848, the year that the emigration from Guangdong and Hong Kong began, and continued until the 1900s. Chinatown in San Francisco is the most densely populated area west of Manhattan. More than 100,000 people live in this neighborhood, many of whom speak only Mandarin or Cantonese Chinese. Amidst art, temples, and tea, the oldest Chinatown in the United States will catapult you into a whole new dimension. Here are the places to visit and things to do in Chinatown, San Francisco.
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Things to Do and Attractions in San Francisco’s Chinatown
Dragon’s Gate
If you are in Union Square, you will be 5 minutes away from Dragon’s Gate, where you can begin the tour of Chinatown. Dragon’s Gate, the neighborhood’s most famous entry point, is between Bush Street and Grant Avenue and is an ideal starting point for visiting Chinatown. Grant Avenue is the oldest and most important street in Chinatown.
Sing Chong Building
Once through the Dragon’s Gate, you will have already “left” the United States. In this corner of Asia, more or less authentic antique shops (there is one called Venezia Gallery just a few yards from the entrance) and you will see traditional Chinese buildings on every street. The first is Sing Chong, located between California Street and Grant Avenue. This yellow building with a pagoda on top was the first to be rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and is now one of the most photographed buildings in San Francisco.
Old St. Mary’s Church
A few steps from Sing Chong, there is another historic pillar of the neighborhood. This church is the oldest in California and was built in 1854 under the guidance of Father Henry Ignatius Stark to spread Catholicism in Chinatown. In 1891, it was replaced by a larger cathedral that was almost completely destroyed during the fires that followed the earthquake. It is striking to see such architecture in a Chinese context.
Waverly Place
Going straight up Grant Avenue you will arrive at the intersection with Clay Street, where you will have a view of the Transamerica Pyramid, the symbol of San Francisco’s financial district. On a cross street of Grant Avenue, there is an area called Waverly Place (the name is also the name of the street). Its yellow, pink, and blue facades are easily recognizable and you may feel like you’ve seen them before. Waverly Place has appeared in some movies like The Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith.
The Tin How Temple
Founded in 1852, Tin How is the oldest Taoist temple in Chinatown and is just as colorful as Waverly Place. The actual temple is located on the fourth floor, and can be reached by climbing the stairs. You will be greeted by a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere surrounded by the classic bright red and gold.
The Chinese Historical Society of America
This museum, located in a historic red brick building at 965 Clay Street, documents the history of the Chinese community in America through several exhibits. It is not very large but it will give you an idea of the difficulties and problems that the Chinese have encountered over the years as they integrated into American society.
It is open from Wednesday to Sunday (11:00 am-4:00 pm). The ticket costs $15 (ages 18-65), $10 (65+ and students), and admission is free for children under 12 years old.
Portsmouth Square
Portsmouth Square is considered to be the heart of Chinatown and was built in the early nineteenth century. It is a place steeped in history that saw the first public school in California, as well as celebrations, protests, and renovations. The most recent renovations were completed in 2001. There are plaques, statues (like the Goddess of Democracy), and even a playground called Tot Lot with works of art made of concrete and glass. This is the best place to rest and take a break during your visit to Chinatown.
Opposite Portsmouth Square is the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, located precisely on the third floor of the Hilton Hotel. Admission is free and you can view exhibits here. It is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Buddha’s Universal Church
Another record within Chinatown has been set by the Buddha’s Universal Church, the largest Buddhist temple in the United States. Don’t be fooled by the exterior, which is decidedly modern and not at all oriental. Inside there are mosaics, images of Buddha in gold, a bamboo chapel, and an altar. The rites are celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 10:30 am, followed by lunch and a tour of the temple. At the top, there is also a lotus flower-shaped terrace with plants and benches.
Fortune Cookie Factory
Have you ever wondered how the fortune cookies you open at the end of a meal at a Chinese restaurant are made? Here at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory you can watch the production process (on a smaller scale than the industrial ones, of course) and buy them freshly made. The cookies are sold starting at around $5 and the selection includes giant fortune cookies, classic fortune cookies, and even chocolate ones. Would you like to take pictures of this fascinating workshop? If so, you must pay $0.50.
Stockton Street
One block from the fortune cookie factory, there is Chinatown’s main shopping street. Stockton Street starts from Market Street via Union Square and arrives here where you will find anything from fashionable shops to fruit, vegetables, spices, and fresh fish. There are even fish that are still alive!
Where to Stay
Chinatown is a good location for accommodations in San Francisco, and 3 reasons for this are its location, security, and affordability. If you click on the link below, you’ll find an article in which we provide a more comprehensive guide to accommodations in Chinatown, including some recommendations for interesting hotels in the neighborhood. If Chinatown isn’t for you, we have tips for accommodations in other neighborhoods as well.
Tips on where to stay in Chinatown
Places to Eat in Chinatown: Enjoy Some Tea and Dim Sum
Chinatown offers a great selection of restaurants for those who love Asian food. I suggest you stop at one of the many small Chinese restaurants specializing in dim sum, although do not set your expectations for customer service (or cleanliness) too high. The oldest is the Hang Ah Tea Room (1 Pagoda Place), which has been open since 1920. They say it is also the oldest dim sum restaurant in America.
If you are looking for something more refined, try China Live (718 California St) with its large wooden tables at the Market Restaurant or the high-end tastings at the Eight Tables, a restaurant with modern, classy decor where you can enjoy a nice evening. The Cold Drinks Bar at China Live is also very impressive and a fantastic place for a cocktail (or more than one). Are you a tea lover? Have a sip of tea in one of the three Vital Tea Leaf outlets.
The beauty of San Francisco is its variety of neighborhoods. It is a truly multicultural and diverse city. In Chinatown, you can walk into a fortune cookie factory, while just a few blocks away, you’ll feel like you’re back in the 1960s and will be surrounded by rainbow flags (if you’re interested, check out Haight-Ashbury).
