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$677 per night from 22 May to 23 May
AU$677
includes taxes & fees
22 May - 23 May
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! (989 reviews)
"Ritz Carlton took the initiative to make our special trip amazing! The staff were friendly and beyond courteous. Our room was so comfortable, we slept like babies. An extra thanks to Hernando for bringing us non-alcoholic beverage after finding out we don't drink :)"

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 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$242 per night from 9 May to 10 May
AU$242
includes taxes & fees
9 May - 10 May
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! (3,875 reviews)
"Very clean housekeeping and convenient location, comfortable stay"

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 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$283 per night from 11 May to 12 May
AU$283
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
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! (6,369 reviews)
"First and foremost, excellent Location! Of course that's why you pay extra to come to the Riu. It is within walking distance to many Muni transporatation option, and offer easy walking access to the Fisherman Wharf and the Alcatraz ferry tour. The parking fees for it are pretty expensive, and we ..."

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$222 per night from 11 May to 12 May
AU$222
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,159 reviews)
"n"

Reviewed on 21 Apr. 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Handlery Union Square Hotel
Handlery Union Square Hotel
3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$273 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
AU$273
includes taxes & fees
23 Apr - 24 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,338 reviews)
"Great staff. Very accommodating!"

Reviewed on 19 Apr. 2025

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Sonesta Select San Francisco Airport Oyster Point Waterfront
Sonesta Select San Francisco Airport Oyster Point Waterfront
3 out of 5
1300 Veterans Blvd, South San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$188 per night from 4 May to 5 May
AU$188
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in South San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,436 reviews)
"the room is clean, but the refrigerator was lacking water."

Reviewed on 21 Apr. 2025

Sonesta Select San Francisco Airport Oyster Point Waterfront
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 San Francisco Bay 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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