Chinatown

Chinatown

About
San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinese enclaves outside Asia. The best time to visit is during Chinese New Year, when the area comes alive with a grand celebration. Enter through the much-photographed Dragon Gate and take your time to explore the winding back alleys. Don’t miss China Live, a multi-story building filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and a food demonstration hall. Before you leave, stroll down Grant Avenue, the main tourist thoroughfare lined with shops. Restaurants here get really crowded at dinnertime; reservations are highly recommended. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area

Neighborhood: Chinatown
As the oldest in North America, San Francisco's Chinatown is an exotic experience. A unique neighborhood decorated with colorful shops, historic streetlights, hanging lanterns, and pagoda roofs awaits behind the stone-carved dragon gates. Feast on dim sum at the tea houses, or meet the locals who gather at historic Portsmouth Square to play chess or practice Tai Chi. Fish markets, produce stands, tourist shops, jewelry stores, fortune tellers, temples and restaurants come together to create a world unto itself in this historic neighborhood.
How to get there
  • Montgomery St • 9 min walk
  • Montgomery St • 9 min walk

See what travelers are saying

  • tinaNtravel
    San Jose, California2,153 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lot of small shops
    Chinatown is mostly one long street on which are a lot of shops along with some grocery stores and restaurants. Many of the shops are souveneir shops, but there are also a lot of jewelry and scarf shops. All in all, it is well worth a visit to walk around.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 25, 2024
  • Ini Mariel M
    Seattle, Washington9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent area to dissipate from day to day.
    We really liked it so we came back this time for more. The hotel was in the middle of the way to the Peruvian Embassy and Chinatown so it was excellent. We ate delicious Peruvian cuisine and Cantonese food. What I didn't like was that in Chinatown they gave us massages and in the end they wanted to charge us differently than what was initially treated.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 23, 2024
  • jkdussault
    Laval, Canada299 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great walking neighbourhood
    I have been to many Chinatowns. This was a bucket list for me since it is supposed to be the biggest Chinatown in North America. It is big. But it is mainly filled with tourist shops. I thought I would see more authentic Chinese stores. There are many restaurants and some stores. We did not have enough time to walk around.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 30, 2024
  • trippypossum
    Horsham, Australia30 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit
    Enjoyed lunch at sushi boat restaurant. Lots of tourist gift shops at good prices. Picked up some key rings and magnets for small gifts. Street entertainment was good too.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 31, 2024
  • Régis1972
    Lancy, Switzerland19,839 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfumes from China
    Like every major city (in the USA...), there is a Chinatown district. This one is nice, typical, many shops and shops, enough to immerse yourself for a few moments in the Asian world of this city. To cross on foot to take the perfume of China.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 24, 2024
  • 196LindaC
    Mukwonago, Wisconsin817 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cultural experience
    Leisurely stroll through Chinatown on our way to the Wharf. Always interesting to see the daily food markets as well as the shops and restaurants. It's the largest Chinatown I've seen with many restaurants and interesting points of interest
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 25, 2024
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, California19,076 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Full of Life
    With all of the tourists around, one forgets that this is an actual neighborhood and people live here, as well as shop. Always a good place to browse what's for sale and to search for a good place for dim sum. Just up hill from the Financial District, crowded and busy and full of life.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 29, 2024
  • Luigi L
    Busto Arsizio, Italy299 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A true Chinese quarter
    Between the Italian Quarter (Grace Cathedral) and Union Square. The streets are full of shops. Interesting are those of fresh fruit and vegetables, a little less those of meat and poultry. Souvenirs should be bought here rather than at Pier 30 or Fisherman wharf. Many murals and ideas for beautiful photos. Well worth a visit. In the morning in the proton in front of Grace Cathedral it is common to see many doing Tai-Chi exercises
    Visited October 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 15, 2024
  • Jane B
    San Francisco, California56 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The energy and chaos of Chinatown
    Returning to San Francisco after a three-week vacation on the East Coast, I decided to revisit Chinatown with a fresh perspective, almost as if I were a tourist in my own city. Chinatown is not only a tourist attraction but also a dynamic living neighborhood that pulsed with life and rich cultural contrasts. Starting from Russian Hill, I made my way down to Columbus Street— a diagonal street that serves as a cultural seam, blending San Francisco’s communities. Crossing from Little Italy into Chinatown, I noticed a tangible shift in ambiance, marked by changes in decor and awnings that lined the streets. The Italian cafes and bakeries gave way to bustling markets, herb shops, and dim sum take-out spots, creating a fascinating cultural blend just steps apart. On Stockton Street, Chinatown was alive with heavy foot and vehicle traffic, as locals and vendors engaged in lively interactions. Elderly Chinese ladies, often dressed in brightly but awkwardly colored outfits, crossed the streets without regard for pedestrian lights. Delivery trucks squeezed in wherever possible, negotiating with pedestrians and adding to the frustrations of the already slowed vehicle traffic. The bus drivers honked loudly to warn the cross walkers, yet the noise seemed to be drowned by the harsh Cantonese tones that echoed in the air, as shoppers and vendors haggled over goods — their negotiations punctuating the sounds of a busy market. Stopping by a couple of produce stores, I was pleased to find fresher, more affordable vegetables than at most grocery stores. I often make these daily trips to pick up the day’s staples, absorbing the energy and chaos of this busy neighborhood. Chinatown’s vibrancy may not be for everyone, but I find the energy invigorating. It’s a neighborhood that’s anything but static, filled with sights, sounds, and interactions that showcase a slice of life both chaotic and deeply rooted in tradition. If you don’t mind a little chaos, Chinatown offers a fascinating, dynamic experience you won’t soon forget.
    Visited October 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written October 31, 2024
  • Corinne M Chanel
    Agen, France1,014 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Chinese place as one can imagine
    Our hotel was located not far from Chinatown. So we were able to shop there since it was the last of our California trip. And we realized that as far as souvenirs go, the magnets the small objects we saw during our 15-day visit through California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona were much cheaper here and they were really the same. Otherwise we had lunch in a nice super restaurant in this neighborhood, after that it is also a bric à brac in some places you have to sort.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled on business
    Written December 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles7,161 reviews
Excellent
2,199
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2,607
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1,706
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Corinne M Chanel
Agen, France1,014 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Business
Our hotel was located not far from Chinatown. So we were able to shop there since it was the last of our California trip. And we realized that as far as souvenirs go, the magnets the small objects we saw during our 15-day visit through California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona were much cheaper here and they were really the same. Otherwise we had lunch in a nice super restaurant in this neighborhood, after that it is also a bric à brac in some places you have to sort.
Automatically translated
Written December 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Great_Beer_Now
Houston, TX5,260 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Visiting San Francisco is a fun experience for countless reasons. You have natural scenery, a vibrant downtown, loads of eateries, boat tours, and so much more. There are more things to recommend than one can count, but if you’re mind is set on visiting a specific section of town to wander through and enjoy its charms, the one place I recommend above all others is Chinatown.

Chinatown is located near the financial district in downtown and it is comprised of streets and alleys. The best way to explore is to find a place to park and start walking. My recommendation is to forego having a set plan on places to visit. I think it’s more fun to start walking and then visit the places that catch your attention. You will find all sorts of restaurants, bakeries, cafes, souvenir shops, and more, all ready to charm you with their ethnicity.

Most people who visit Chinatown come here in search of great eats, and there are many to be found. But its not all about the food and drink- the shops, temples, and other attractions are equally memorable. You could easily spend several days exploring Chinatown. It’s one of the few urban places I have ever visited that never gets old and continues to charm, no matter how many times you go.

Possibly the greatest challenge of Chinatown is finding a place to park. If you have a car, you will need to keep circling around until you find a place on the street. My recommendation is to either stay at a nearby hotel and walk over or use public transit of some sort. The constant driving around, hoping for a parking space to become available, will take away valuable time that could be spent enjoying food, drink, gift shops, and culture.

San Francisco is often listed among the favorite cities in the United States for tourism and Chinatown is a good part of the reason. The many restaurants, gift shops, and other attractions will serve to both educate and charm you as you make your way across this famed California city. Chinatown is an experience not to miss, so make sure you add a visit to your schedule.
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

guennie3
Cambridge, UK460 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Had high hopes of this neighbourhood in SF but was quite underwhelmed to be honest. It seemed to have a lot of touristy souvenir shops and many run down restaurants. The fortune cookie workshop was worth finding for a very quick visit and we did find a fab restaurant (R&G Lounge). dragon Gate and lanterns were colourful but other than that, there are better places to spend time in San Francisco.
Written November 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ruhungrytientien
San Francisco, CA231 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Solo
After 20 month of COVID-19. San Francisco Chinatown is back. On Friday (11/19/21) I ride the Cable Car California Line and got off the at Grant and California St head south on Grant Ave towards Bush St where the Dragon Gate is located. Since I am a Bay Area resident and has been to Chinatown 50+ times, it’s so vibrant and a lots of shops has reopened. The red lamp hangs high really give you feeling that you are in Far East. Chinatown has tall hills where you can the iconic San Francisco downtown, Transamerica and Salesforce Buildings. I also saw Muni #1 California St Bus where Marvel Movie Shangchi were filmed. The dum sim place, restaurant, bakery, souvenir shop, bubble teas and grocery shopping are packed with folks even on Friday afternoon.

Cable Car, Muni bus 1, 8, 30, 45, 91 and new subway station is about to open soon will get you to the heart of Chinatown. This is not just a bucket list to be check off. This is a must see destination is you are coming to San Francisco.

ruhungrytientien
Written November 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

D i
Tiburon, CA406 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We took our friends visiting from CT recently and we all loved it. Quite a history to this Chinatown.

No tourist locations or other places are the same across the country as we've found during Covid. So, shops, restaurants have been hit especially hard, but we believe they'll all come back to where they were and our we've been kind with our rating to so many places as a result.

We would take the kids in when they were young as they loved shopping here. I just purchased my usual zippered small and medium Chinese design pouches for jewelry and other items for gifts to send to friends.

I'd always park on the corner of Bush St. & Grant garage, which may be called the Whitehouse Garage, and The Sutter Stockton Garage may be open also. While it may be pricey compared to your frame of reference, there is a reason why people take Bart, the bus or ferry in if they work in the city.

We love eating at Cafe de la Presser's on Grant St., just across from the entrance to Chinatown with the two lion structures at the entrance!
Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hinahina
東京2,413 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
If there is a Chinatown in my travel destination, I always visit it.

Because I have had the experience that the restaurants in Chinatown I have visited so far are both reasonably priced and delicious!

I was excited to visit this time as well, but it seems I visited at a bad time, as most places were closed except for the shops near Dragon Gate, and there were few people there, which was disappointing.

The scenery may have been different under normal circumstances.
Google
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

msbene
Knoxville, TN110 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Friends
We visited Chinatown on Saturday, July 3rd during the day and had two very different experiences.
Coming through the Dragon’s Gate on Grant, most stores were still closed except for a few souvenir shops and a modern Chinese version of Starbucks which did not look appealing at all. Red Blossom Tea is still appointment only and Eastern Bakery did not allow customers inside, but only had a few items on a table at the door. I was so disappointed and then we left the tourist area for Stockton Street…..
Wow! What a difference a street makes. The sidewalks were packed with locals doing their weekly shopping and wide-eyed tourists being fully immersed in a culture. The vegetable markets had gorgeous, purple eggplants, giant bitter melons and beautiful little bundles of bok choy. The meat markets had whole, roasted chickens (with the heads still on) hanging from the windows. The fish markets had live fish and trays of just fish heads for soup. There were ladies bargaining over produce and elderly couples dressed up, walking arm in arm completely oblivious to the chaos. Good Mok Bakery had a line out the door.
We had reservations for dim sum at Yank Sing the next day, so went on to Little Swan bakery for treats, one of the markets for fresh lychees and China Live for tea (they were not open for lunch, but let me shop the retail inside.)
We had such a fun afternoon. My teenager says it was his favorite part of SF. My advice is to take a picture at the Dragon Gate then head to Stockton where the real Chinatown is.
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bianka H
Jupiter, FL151 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
I found Chinatown to be somewhat underwhelming. While it's wonderful for locals to find affordable groceries and fish here, the overall experience falls a bit short for me when compared to places like NYC or other cities. Despite the charming array of small shops offering snacks and pastries, it doesn't quite match up to the vibrancy of other urban centers.
Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arun K
Nagpur District, India3,374 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
One of the oldest & established China Town in USA beyond iconic dragon gate with silk cloth lanterns all along the way.
The bursting streets, glittering shops & eateries are sources of attraction for tourist. Chinese goods & gift items are available in plenty at reasonable rates in this market.

A few famous Chinese restaurants need advance booking of tables.
The monasteries in the township are really famous & worth visiting .
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

njmomongo
Maple Shade, NJ133 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Beautiful neighborhood of the city, very busy, wonderful people, great shopping, & authentic Asian food. Items in stores don't see anywhere else. Grant Avenue has lined the street back & forth with Asian Lanterns , so beautiful ⛩️
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Chinatown - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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