Chinatown

https://www.sfmta.com/routes/t-third-street Get directions for Chinatown - Rose Pak Station at Stockton St and Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94108 As a teenager taking the bus to Chinatown was one of the best memories, now to know bart train has a stop in Chinatown ( Rose Pak station) . I was elated and thinking one day I would like to ride the train into Chinatown and walk with out worrying about driving aimlessly around looking parking spots.

Grant Avenue... San Francisco... California... U. S. A..! Looks down from Chinatown Over a foggy bay. I grew up watching Rodger and Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song" over and over and over. Shhh I had a secret crush on the lead actor, who wasn't even Chinese. Hahah. Everytime I visit San Francisco Chinatown I think of the festive portrayal of this festively rich place made alive by Rodger's and Hammerstein in this play/musical/song! And evertime I visit S.F. Chinatown I like to visit some of my favorite places (so thankful many are still around) like Vital Tea Shoppe for a delicious tea tasting, education, and to pickup some of my favorite teas like longjian, honey ginseng, ti guan yin... or to dine or pickup at one of the fabulous eateries like Mr.Jiu's..! Who doesn't love some of that delicious sweet pork sausage (lup cheong or my favorite... foo cheong) or bbq pork jerky from S.F. Chinatown! Street metered parking available as is parking in one of the large parking lots, or for me, in my fabulous friend's parking space right there and convenient. Love the flavor of this part of the city and how accessible it is to Little Italy, Union Square. Love the artwork and murals constantly bring added to beautify the area. Here's to you S.F. Chinatown, one of the oldest... if not the oldest Chinatowns in Northern America! Definitely one of my favorites.

Chinatown in SF is a great little adventure. I went recently for their night market though, and I would say the food is not that great. It has been advertised as solid and affordable food, but I would say the food is okay and sure, $5 is affordable. My boyfriend and I tried the hawthorn tanghulu here, because I don't think you can buy hawthorn in the states, but he said it is still not as good as in China. It was definitely less melted than my diy grape tanghulus though. I would say, Chinatown during the say might be more fun than its night market version. There are a lot of great shops in Chinatown that would not be open during night market hours. Like the bakeries and the fortune cookie shop. Still, the architecture is nice to admire at night, as well as the murals

There's lots to like about SF Chinatown!! First of all, you can only really enjoy it, see everything, and get the feel of it when you're walking. Driving through Chinatown could be one of the worst experiences you can have!!! But there's plenty to see!! The official entrance is Dragons Gate. And there are many shops, restaurants, bakeries, markets, just a lot places to see!! And it's also very big, around 30 blocks, and is the oldest Chinatown in the United States!! Every time I have come, usually on the weekends, there's almost always something going on that I stumble across. There are also temples and a museum here. Plenty of culture here to enjoy, definitely worth a visit!!!

I loved it down here. There was so much to see and do that I could literally walk around for hours. I got to try at least one restaurant. one dessert place, and go to a tea room (an explicit one def not for kids hahaha). It was just so much fun. I would def come back here if I was ever vacationing in San Francisco again!!!

A beautiful Chinatown here in the heart of San Francisco. A wonderful and whimsical place to walk about and discover all things Chinese. Food, medicinal herbs, fresh seafood, Asian vegetables, artworks and touristy shops are all found here. Put on your walking shoes because there are uphill streets and winding streets here. Relatively clean area with certain amount of homelessness in the area. Just keep your eyes open. Lots of people walking about and the roads are also busy. Not for the faint of heart. Just be ready to dodge here and there. It was fun and filled with excitement. We tried a number of dim sum places and picked up herbal lozenges that were recommended by friends. Street parking available, but we parked in a public parking lot by a park.

I was giving Big Bro a tour of San Francisco, and Chinatown wasn't even on the list but when he mentioned SIL wanted a new mahjong set, we decided to call an audible! Parking is an incredible challenge at this part of the city (any part of the city, really) but I luckily found one right across the street from the dragon gates. From there, we took our downhill trek. It really is like walking into another world. Plenty of stores offering similar as well as unique items from herbs, plants, clothing, home decor and everything in between. Lots of no mess, no frills eateries. There was on old skool feel to the general area that somehow made me feel its history. Not a lot of stores sold the mahjong set or some were just downright ridiculously priced. I was confident we'd find one we liked eventually... and we did. But that's for another review. I wish we had more time to explore. Should I find myself around here again, definitely taking my time then. There's still plenty left to see!

Anyone else remember being a kid and waiting for your parents at the escalator dimsum stairs while they finish grocery shopping? Chinatown is bustling. The more that downtown gets infested with hobo drug abusers, the more tourists flock to ctown. I'm glad that Chinatown businesses get to do well and flourish. The tourist clothing shops on grant x sac are the best. They need a sign though.

Chinatown is a great place to walk and admire its beautiful architecture or explore the stores and other establishments and see all things Chinese and of the culture. The architecture offers history and beauty to admire. There's so many places to check out and learn about. Lots of art to stop and reflect upon. Many establishments worth stopping by and supporting. A must to see when visiting San Francisco!

Chinatown is another SF staple on the tourist circuit. It's the biggest Chinatown in the country. I have been here many times and find it mildly uninteresting and tired. I have eaten at several of the restaurants here and have not been a big fan. It's still worth checking out and figuring out for yourself.

The largest Chinatown in North America is a sight to behold. As a person of Chinese descent, it was very moving to wander through this immense area and hear my hometown dialect Cantonese, see the elderly shopping for groceries, and smell the nostalgic food all around me. It's a vibrant community here still, unlike many other Chinatowns around the world. It is not just a relic in history, but it was great to see schools and other daily services teeming with life and vitality. I also love to find all the art murals hidden in and around all the streets -- each telling a story. Highly recommend a visit!

Chinatown in San Francisco is a must see! Such a beautiful place full of wonderfully kind people. There are an endless amount of souvenir stores, but the one I recommend the most is called Butterfly Gifts. Most affordable one with the best selection. There are also many Chinese restaurants with delicious food. You have to come here at least once!

I've been to every single Chinatown on the West Coast stretching from up north of Vancouver BC to down south in Los Angeles, and I can say without a doubt that San Francisco Chinatown is the best of them all! The fact that it's one of the biggest Chinatowns in the country and the cultural-historical significance that it holds makes this place so special. I did a road trip down to the Bay Area and Chinatown in San Francisco was the main attraction I wanted to see. It was so worth it for me as an Asian American as I love being able to see this kind of representation in these big cities. There's a lot that you can do here, so many restaurants you can try out that include different regional Chinese foods and other Asian restaurants. Many dim sums, boba spots, and more. I also like how well-decorated Chinatown is with it's lanterns and street signs in Chinese. There are also many murals and artwork that are placed all around too. There are also some cute parks you can check out such as the Willy Woo Woo Wong playground or Portsmouth Square were some of the older Chinese folk hang around. San Francisco Chinatown isn't perfect of course, but it's lively and full of things you can do, see, and eat!

Really cool to see a culture thriving like this. Authentic shops left and right. Worth to drive through it at the least. Would visit here again. Brings back old memories.

Fantastic neighborhood, iconic and historic in the heart of San Francisco and definitely a place you want to visit whilst in the City by the Bay. Chinatown is festooned with red lanterns, signs welcoming visitors and lots of shops selling authentic goods and foods from China. You can also buy tourist trinkets and souvenirs here as well. It's located adjacent to Union Square so you can't miss it. While we were there both in the morning and evening we never felt unsafe in any way, even when the lady on drugs was screaming at the top of her lungs. There were police officers visible and the merchants are helpful and friendly. We enjoyed strolling through the streets of the best Chinatown in the U.S.!

I had two horrid experiences in chinatown many years ago as a young white female. Have not been back. One time the Chinese waitress was sniffing up her nose and didn't want to wait on me. Which is okay just put a sign up say no whites allowed. Mccorm7cks anschicks is better restaurant. Another time from friend from michigan with brain tumor and two friends with brain tumors I took to family restaurant. They were not very attractive of course so I asked for side booth so as not to bother other diners. They put us in the m8ddle of room and the chinesecand filipino d8ners pointed and laughed at us. I was shocked. Good luck getting a response from the civil rights commission on that one. 8 was very well dressed and rather pretty. The are was dirty.and oppressive.​

Disappointing is all I have to say. Looks like it was dead. Definitely not New York Chinatown, where it's lively and people are always around.

San Francisco Chinatown was establishment in 1848, this historical Chinatown is the oldest in the USA, and if not all most of the building here in this 30 square blocks area are to be the original buildings. Make sure you have your camara or cell phone ready for a lot of pictures of the most stunning traditional Chinese culture in art, lanterns, umbrellas, murals in San Francisco. There are so many restaurants, shops, markets, vintage stores, souvenir and gift shops and herbal shops make sure you visit the alleys for some excellent deals that you can't get on the main streets, also there you will find a famous bakery Golden Gate Bakery, no need to look for an address just look for the long line and the sweetness smell in the air, while in line one of the sweetest Chinese lady was passing out warm fortune cookies. The shop is small with so many different colorful and unique fortune cookies, and don't pass up Wong Lee Bakery...you will be sorry if you do.

Always a must see when visiting San Francisco. I love the architecture of the buildings, not so much the walking up/down the hills. Stopped to have a bite to eat and buy a few souvenirs. The store staff are eager to sell you something and very nice. You can find everything there, including kitchenware. Parking is tricky because the signs are confusing so we parked in a parking structure for our visit.

I was born and raised in the East Bay but frequented SF Chinatown with my parents. Weekend movies at the Great Star Theater (rumored to be haunted) or the Sun Sing Theater with after movie meals at the Jackson Cafe, Saiyon Restaurant, Sun Wah Kue Cafe, Young Kee Noodle and Bakery, and Association Dinners and Wedding Banquets at various large venue restaurants like Asia Garden, Empress, Joe Jung's, Ruby Palace, Four Seas, were a weekly norm. People age, restaurants, theaters and shops close, others open and you can only reminisce as to the good old days. I went to SF Chinatown this past weekend and was so happy to see tourism picking back up, the produce / seafood / delis / bakeries on busy Stockton were busy as usual but Grant Ave (aka DuPont Gai) was also busy with SF Kung Fu Day. Pandemic Chinatown and Grant Ave saw a lot of business closures and a lot more summer festivals and events are needed to bring in visitors. Places to see: - Chinese Historical Society of America Museum - Old St. Mary's Cathedral and Chinese Mission - Portsmouth Square (free Chinese Opera Music and Singing on some Weekends) - Stockton Street for daily food needs (life blood of SF Chinatown) - Grant Avenue for touristy stuff (made famous by Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Flower Drum Song") - Eastern Bakery for Mooncakes (visited by President Clinton) - Great Eastern Restaurant (President Obama bought take-out dim sum) - Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (I think they still give a free sample) - Golden Gate Bakery for Custard Tarts (sporadic hours) - R&G Lounge for Fried Crab Walk the various alleys, take pictures of the various murals, eat dim sum, try the various baked goods and enjoy.

One of the largest, if not the largest community, for Chinese people in the US. Shop after shop, everything is written in Chinese, including the names of the streets. Super cool! Definitely a must visit when in San Francisco. Do be aware of where you are though. At night, this neighborhood is dark and can be scary. A lot of businesses are rundown and closed, so definitely be on your toes.

Visited Chinatown for the 1st time, while on vacation in San Francisco & we were lucky to be visiting on a day (a Sunday) that there was a family-friendly festival happening complete w/...a prodigy kid magician, black-cat fireworks, & even dancing dragons!! Yep, DANCING DRAGONS!! :)) A visit to Chinatown, really is a must-do if ever visiting San Francisco for the 1st or 100th time! Since "sharing is caring", here are a few tidbits from our Chinatown visit on 08/21/2022 ~Start your visit from the "Dragon's Gate", which is the grand entrance of Chinatown that makes for a great photo backdrop ~Parking: We parked a few blocks away at the St. Mary's Square Garage (cost was $15) It was conveniently located only a few blocks away & it was the cheapest parking garage we saw near CT. While there were the usual warning signs posted of vehicle break-ins & not leaving any valuables unattended, on the day we parked in the garage we didn't see any shady people hanging out or around the garage BUT we did use common sense to not leave our diamond Rolex's in the front seat for all to se. ;)) ~Sights to see: There are so many cool murals painted all over Chinatown w/ my favorite being those of Bruce Lee. ~Eating: I highly recommend a stop at Jade Chocolates for a sweet treat or tea. It's located very close to Dragon's Gate & there is a clean restroom for customers to use. Also, highly recommend a stop at Grant Place Restaurant (737 Washington) for lunch or dinner (budget- friendly, fresh food, delicious, & good size portions, shareable for sure). Till next time, ~Rebecca

When you come to San Francisco, you must come to SF Chinatown! The history, the culture, the crowd, the food, and the shopping... we always have so much fun coming to Chinatown! My recommendation for "just as good with much shorter line" places: - Restaurant: Capital Restaurant on 839 Clay St, between Stockton's and Grant - Fortune Cookies : Mee Mee Bakery on 1328 Stockton, between Pacific and Broadway - Dim Sum To-Go: New Mok Kok on Jackson, between Stockton and Grant , and on the left when you're facing downhill - Dim Sum dining in: or dinner: Great Eastern on Jackson, between Grant and Kearney (on the right as you're heading downhill). Make sure to make reservation on Yelp! It will save you hours of waiting!! Have fun exploring!

It was a beautiful weekend of automobile displays. So many cars. So many young people dancing and performing gymnastics routines. The event was over a mile long covering multiple streets and many storefronts. There must have been over a thousand spectators clustered up watching everything. The pictures are worth more than words. Wonderful display.

Absolutely nice and full of live in this beautiful 100+ neighbourhood. I recommend walking along the largest community of Chinese people outside of China and appreciate the presence of what we all can have and enjoy. I enjoy the different colours and vendors. The tea shops seem very nice, I'm a sucker for postcards and this area is the best for that. I enjoy seeing the architecture and the colour red everywhere. The dragons are everywhere and I enjoy that. Chinatown is big so there's so much to do and see. The food can be smelt from walking the small streets and alleys. One can easily have access to Chinatown since it's easily accessible from downtown, embarcadero, north beach, Union Square, and the Nob Hill area. I don't see this as a tourist trap but as a gift. The farther from Grant, the better. Would love to come during the Lunar New Year.

I love Chinatown because it reminded me of the open markets in Vietnam. At the heart of Chinatown, there are restaurants, a grocery market, and gift shops at every corner. No seriously, I am not joking. There are so places to eat, so many things to buy. Supermarkets are open to the outside so are some shops and restaurants. Poultry and meats are on a bed of ice. Fruits and vegetables are outside. You can see things in fridge sometimes but you won't see things in a freezer. Freezer is anti-Chinatown. So great to see. There are certain parts of Chinatown that are really bad, run down hotel and dirty streets. One morning, after eating breakfast at this restaurant at the outskirts of Chinatown, there was a swarm of pigeons outside of the restaurant feeding on food. It's an unbelievable sight and so refreshing. Someone must have left food on the ground that day. It was so great to witness.

Wow Chinatown has really changed from the days of old. Lots of the places are now closed. The place was always full of people and even on this weekend you can see the change. Not as many places fully open and the amount of tourist and regulars has come down dramatically. My old stand by for getting custard pie, my favorite because of the thick crust was no where in sight. Eastern bakery was not even maned with staff except one. Only custard tart to. We looked all over at other bakeries but couldn't find my custard pie. So sad. We were able to see that they were doing a Lion Dance along Stockton which was nice. I was in Mr. Louie's Kung Fu School back in the day and was involved in all the parades . Lots of fun. It was an art. Still tons of nick Knack stores to buy junk for the tourist. The herbal stores are still abundant here. Don't forget the pesky pigeons . If I could only come here at night and flush them all out haha. Still performers above the garage in the central park so all is not lost. I couldn't find a parking spot on the street so had to pay at the garage. I usually always get lucky on finding one. Well just a quick little walk around Chinatown and back home.

In A Nutshell: -As a Bay Area native through & through, I guess it's finally time to write a little something about America's original Chinatown. -It's been a few years since I last wandered through this ageless spectacle. -The same wonderful smells of dim sum & dried fish waft up your nostrils as you walk up/down the streets. -You might even capture a seasonal smell like roasted chestnuts floating in the chilly air. -It always feels so energetic around here, a mix of both young Gen Z's, millenials, middle aged Gen X's & older Baby Boomers spending time traveling solo or locals w/ family & friends. -People still use paper maps to ask others for directions around here :) -Long lines form for legendary, pre-TikTok bakeries or restaurants. Overall, when you pay a visit to SF's Chinatown everything feels the same as it has always been & will always be...100% authentic & I hope it never changes.

Price range: pricey (but you can negotiate!) To consider: the hilly roads. You will for sure burn a ton of calories. Also, be aware of cars passing by. Wait time: depending on the day your walk time could be faster or slower. Food & drinks details: lots of restaurants that I went to, but none for this particular review. Lots to choose from though! Shoutout(s): to SF for this wonderful gem. I love seeing the diversity and celebration of culture! Location review: it's busy, but it's wonderful. I love this place. Get an Uber so you don't have to worry about your car, unless you park at a garage for the day. Expectations: I expected to walk a whole lot, and I did! Expect to walk at least a mile or 2 while in SF. Unless you're extra bougie. Improvements: close the road more often, so cars aren't driving by. Makes the walk a little more dangerous, specially for tourists. Last words: I'd you are planning a trip to Northern California or SF, be sure to come here. It's a mini Asian town. It's like a part of Asia teleported to SF. You will absolutely love the shops and people and scenes.

Came by the other day for the Lunar New Year street festival and it was a quick and quiet experience. Parking was plentiful in the SFMTA Portsmouth garage. Grant Ave is the tourist's Chinatown whereas Stockton is the local's Chinatown. The Lunar New Year street festival was on Grant street. Attendance was merely 10% of the level compared with pre-Covid. Despite being outdoors, the majority of the vendors and attendees wore masks covering their nose. A surprising portion of the people also wore tight disposable gloves! There were plenty of Gen Z volunteers wearing a reflective vest. Vendors seem to prefer cash and prices were prominently displayed, minimizing the traditional haggling mentality.

The SF Chinatown is one of the oldest and most established ones in the states. Beyond the iconic Dragon's Gate, Sing Fat and Sing Chong buildings, there's a bustling maze of streets with dim sum joints, herbalists, bakeries, souvenir shops, and other merchants.

Use to frequent China town alot as one of my favorites destinations when visiting the City. Lots of stores and shops to visit but since Covid, many shops are closed and or shut down for good. Still there is alot to see and do there, from dining, shopping, and enjoying the preserved historic buildings that still exist today. Location: Just a few blocks from union Square, where you will find the entrance called Dragon Gate and this entrance will basically lead you through most of all the popular places in China Town. Easy walk. If coming from the Ferry Building or Downtown you can take the California Street line to Grant Avenue which will also bring you right to China town. Things to do: There are still alot to see and do, and EAT! You can visit the fortune cookie factory, Take pictures of the famous Dragon Gate, Canton Bazaar which is a huge store with many gifts, accessories, clothing, visit the Chinese Historical Society of America museum. Eats: Hong Cong clay pot, House of Nanking, and Dol Ho Restaurant are some of the best. Offers traditional dishes as well as fresh baked goods. Overall: A fun trip to take if visiting the city, easy location to find, lots to do and eat and explore. A must visit.

Good Chinatown with a nice mix of more traditional shops and modern shops with plenty of restaurant options to satisfy food needs and gift shops to satisfy shopping needs. The large size helps to provide an immersive experience that makes you feel like you're in China with plenty of decorations such as Lanterns and Chinese architecture.

This Chinatown is very cultural. I love it. You'll see the lanterns, bars, restaurants, shops & attractions. Most of the food is very good. The shops have sales that can be very good prices. Go for a stroll & see what comes to your senses.

Lots of history here and a vast reach of stores and landmarks. Lots of restaurants and not just Chinese food but pan Asian food. It's not as lively as it used to be due to Covid but it's still alive and lots to eat and shop for cute Asian items. Lots of hills to walk to get to Chinatown so it's a great walk. Keeps you healthy. Just walk straight on California Street and a ton of stores are on Grant Street and other side streets. Tours throughout the city and the trolley goes right through it. If you download the MuniMobile app you can pay $13 a day and use this app unlimited on both BART train and the trolley. Normally the trolley is $8 per ride. So it's a great deal.

I like Chinatown! I really do! The first time in the mid 70's, when we lived here and visited Chinatown, they smell bad! A combination of foods being cooked, spices not familiar, every adjectives in the dictionary found, it was here in Chinatown. This is 2022, still during a COVID, there's an option of wearing masks indoors. There are communities that are dressed in uniforms or smocks, they are hospitable and helpful with any questions you may have. The first time, a college-age guy standing in the corner, asked us if we wanted our photos taken, I got a little paranoid. Then I saw more & more, dressed like him, and when we passed him again, taking photos of a couple, I REALIZED they're community members trying to keep the streets SAFER and makes you feel confident! Chinatown today, wasn't as bad as the 70's. They're safer, hardly smells, and people are a little bit more respectful. I was taking a photo of a mural at the theater, and Chinese man (I didn't know at that time), started talking about the history of the mural I just took, and the building. That was so informative! It was like having a little tour of around that area. During our 1 week stay in S.F., we visited Chinatown 2x. The bakery that we used to stop after work for Chocolate Torte is still there! Due to COVID, he sits outside the door, taking your orders, they have just a few of their most famous sweets & breads, but none of our favorites, sad to say. Buy your fresh fruits & veggies here. There are many businesses, who just let you shop, and others can be a 'mouthful', if you know what I mean.

It's a must-see anytime I visit San Francisco, including Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, finding the best Irish cream coffee in the city, exploring SF by Bart, and a trolly tour experience. It has been several years since I've returned to Northern Cali, but I still recommend a walking tour at your own leisurely pace, and a dim sum lunch in Chinatown. The buildings and shops have so much history from what I can see. I haven't had a bad dim sum experience here yet. Find a popular egg tart bakery, too. Their egg tarts are delicious in this area. The shopping is also fun. I found a beautiful traditional Chinese dress and top that I still have in my wardrobe. The material is in beautiful quality still, even after ten years from when I bought them. I usually walk to Chinatown from wherever I stay and had felt comfortable to explore, but for obvious reasons I'd recommend keeping safe and explore more during the daytime now. City life at might, especially gets unpredictable these days.

It's been over a decade since I last visited SF Chinatown and a lot has changed since then. It's much cleaner now and most of the restaurants have outdoor seatings which helped with the streets upkeep. They have really put a lot of efforts into making sure their store fronts have more curb appeals. I appreciate that. It could be that I am visiting in the fall instead of summer but it seems to smell less this time around. I am very sensitive to odor and stench so I enjoyed this visit a lot more than the last time I was here in the summertime. All in all, it was a great SF trip with some very delicious food stops. Also, I really enjoyed browsing all the vegetables shops for Asian veggies.

San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest one in North America and one of the largest. As far as Chinatowns go, it is top notch. You will find many restaurants, stores, and bakeries, and as an added plus, it is located right in the downtown of the city. Yes, the buildings are showing their age, but that is history for you. Compared to the NYC Chinatown, it is slower paced and not as crowded, but equally enjoyable.

As many times as I have been here its always as if its the first time. So many things to see that it can be overwhelming at times (but in a good way) especially during Chinese New Year. Located on Grant Ave and Stockton Street, it is the oldest Chinatown in North America, and largest enclave outside of Asia. Covers 24 square blocks in downtown SF. Chinatown offers a plethora of shops, restaurants, tea houses. You can find silk robes, herbs, beautiful jade jewelry...... It is always fun to walk around and take in all history and culture and sample some authentic chinese food and desserts Parking.......do not even try it. Park a few blocks down and walk

It was fun experiences . We could watch lion dance practices. The Chinese food was so good though.

I love walking through Chinatown SF in the morning when the fog is starting to clear and the sun is starting to peep out. All the shops are starting to open up and the smell of incense are filling the air. It's just this incredible feeling of comfort. Many might say it's just another Chinatown tourist trap but the local residents actually reside in Chinatown. There are many souvenir shops but there are also several great restaurants and bakeries. The markets here are also great to find dried herbs and foods you can't find at the grocery store. If you are willing to look past the souvenir shops to see the beauty in the community that resides here then you'll have a better experience. We spent most of our time walking around Chinatown during our 1 week stay here. We could easily grab tea and sit at the park for hours. The street art is also a great attraction, we found ourselves walking around just looking for awesome street art. Don't miss out on the hidden shops down Ross Alley.

Of all the Chinatowns in the world, the San Francisco Chinatown, the biggest of its kind, will always have my heart. At a high level, its Grant Street and the Chinatown draws in the tourists. Stockton Street is where the locals' many grocery stores overflow with fresh vegetables, fresh seafood, and meats. Meanwhile the very steep east-west streets of Pacific to Sacramento build calf muscles better than any Stairmasters. :D When you're in Chinatown be sure to explore the many bakeries and the dim sum take-out eateries throughout Chinatown. Of course, have a meal in a restaurant too. It may not be obvious to many, but Chinatown has a thriving community of residents. Be on the lookout for murals, mini parks, the residential apartments above the street level storefronts, and its own library branch. Every step I take, I hear a Chinese dialect being spoken. It's a separate world within itself - a world that welcomes visitors and happily shares their culture.

Chinatown [COVID-19 edition] We visited Chinatown this past weekend. I've not been to Chinatown since the pandemic started... even well before COVID-19 hit the U.S. Clearly the pandemic has affected the businesses here. At 4:30p on a Saturday the sidewalks are empty, many businesses closed for the day (or for good, I am unable to tell unless they're boarded up without the storefront sign). This is a strange sight to see Chinatown in this state where the place is usually bustling with locals and tourists alike especially on Grant Avenue. We stopped at some of the souvenir shops. Most of the stores open were these gift shops with hardly any shoppers browsing or shopping inside. A few restaurants were open for takeout. No bakery open at 4:30p... usually there are a few choice bakeries to get some good egg tarts and some pastries. Maybe I just missed the business hours. It's still a nice place to stroll through and take photos at Dragon's Gate on Grant and Bush. What's usually a vibrant and loud Chinatown is less busy nowadays due to COVID. Hopefully, we will have some normalcy soon... I very much prefer the hustle and bustle in the atmosphere. Also, I'd love to get some goodies at the Eastern Bakery. Review #0633 updated

Hey! I have to give this place 5-stars because I was born in SF Chinatown! I was born in the same Chinese hospital as Bruce Lee! SF Chinatown is not a tourist trap. It's 100+ year old community within the City of San Francisco. People live there, shop there, go to school there, worship there, and some people rarely leave. Most of the cheap gift shops are on Grant Ave. The Chinatown I knew as a little boy, is not the place you see today. People went to school, got good jobs, and moved away. Most families took their elders with them. I still come to SF Chinatown because of the unique stores and shops. Places like tea shops, Joss and ceremony shops, and Chinese antique stores are unique to SF Chinatown. Really, right now Covid-19 has ruined business. Where do I buy roast duck? I go to Oakland Chinatown's Gold Medal Restaurant.

A must visit while in San Francisco. The food and atmosphere along with all the culture is outstanding. You'll find murals of Bruce Lee while strolling through the streets.

Nice clean area with cool Art Deco We greatly enjoyed walking through the area and it's stores. The alleys were pretty cool and everywhere you turned there was something interesting to see. If you're a foodie this will be a lot of fun to try new things and some delicious dim sum

Chinatown is one of the popular sightseeing spots. There are a lot of things to do. I juts walked around. I enjoyed many stores, restaurants and people. You may walk for a hour. You will take a lot of interesting pictures. You just stopped by some tea house and relax!

Among all the things to do in SF, Chinatown is another must. I felt in China, surrounded by Chinese buildings decorated with their style and culture, as we walked around here. Even the banks were Chinese :) The restaurants and markets looked so genuine and I loved to see so many different Chinese products on them.