Chinatown Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Chinatown which includes street scenes
Chinatown
Chinatown featuring street scenes, signage and a city
Chinatown which includes street scenes
Chinatown featuring street scenes
San Francisco Chinatown is a colourful treat for visitors. Packed with authentic restaurants, exotic shops, ornate temples and buzzing food markets.

As one of the most densely populated and vibrant areas of the United States, this place hasn’t been without drama during its 160-year existence. It has witnessed turf wars, opium dens, bootleggers and secret clubs and societies. It also even had an unhealthy dose of bubonic plague. This colourful past has helped to shape the rich character of its contemporary culture making it one of San Francisco’s most popular districts to visit. In common with many other San Francisco districts, the Chinatown area was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and its resulting fires that destroyed large areas of the city. Today it’s a distinctive and striking area.

Begin your Chinatown experience at Chinatown Gate, located at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue. You can’t miss this entrance with its pagoda-topped design. The ceremonial entrance to the area is decorated with ornamental dragons and is guarded at either side by stone Fu dogs.

Come inside for an authentic experience. The markets sell live turtles and chickens and a host of other animals. Located down a back alley, known as Ross Alley, you’ll stumble across the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Your nose will guide you there. Inhale the distinctive delicious aromas as you approach. This is the only hand-made fortune cookie maker in San Francisco, which makes cookies of all varieties and sizes. You’re welcome to step inside to see the cookies being made and best of all, you can buy a bag of freshly-baked cookies to take away with you.

Not to be missed is the abundance of Chinese restaurants serving up a huge variety of authentic Chinese cuisine. There are dim sum restaurants and souvenir shops galore in the main tourist area but don’t just stick to the main streets. Head off down the labyrinth of back alleys where you’ll discover a different world with many a secluded gem secreted away waiting to be discovered.

The sights, smells and sounds of Chinatown are highly distinctive and will stay with you for a long time after you visit. It really should be on every visitor’s schedule. Chinatown is well within walking distance from the downtown area. Streetcars also service the area.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Chinatown Hotel Deals

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
5 out of 5
600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$688 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
AU$688
includes taxes & fees
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"The staff are phenomenal and made certain that my daughter had the best birthday imaginable. Thank you!"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$215 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$215
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,723 reviews)
"It was a very pleasant surprise and made the trip easy."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$288 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$288
includes taxes & fees
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,294 reviews)
"excellent hotel"

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
3.5 out of 5
433 Powell St, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$205 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
AU$205
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,659 reviews)
"The hotel is an older completely remodeled facility. The amenities in the room were excellent, adequate lighting, chairs and electrical outlets. Room is fairly small but adequate. Parking in the area is a major challenge, and very expensive. Parking furnished at extra cost by the hotel was valet ..."

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2025

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel
Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel
3 out of 5
1550 Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA
The price is AU$285 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$285
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,009 reviews)
"Amazing experience"

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2025

Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel
Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
4 out of 5
424 Clay St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$202 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$202
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,253 reviews)
"Great property with close by dining options, in addition to the option for cooking"

Reviewed on 29 Mar. 2025

Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Chinatown

Union Square featuring a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(249 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

4/5(16 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Embarcadero Center to TransAmerica Pyramid – discover Financial District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Financial District
North Beach which includes skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Travellers love North Beach for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

North Beach
Default Image

Russian Hill

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers choose Russian Hill for its pristine beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop and check out top sights like Van Ness Avenue.

Russian Hill
Default Image

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(34 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco

Chinatown Travel Guide

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