Chinatown, while it’s the second biggest Chinatown in the US, it’s not that big. You could probably do it in a half of a day OR you could spend a whole day, depending on how you travel. Taking a few hours to walk the streets, observe the buildings, visit the shops and eat at the bakeries is something I have so much fun doing and always run into something new.
Whether you’re searching for the best things to do in Chinatown San Francisco or hunting for the best authentic dim sum, this comprehensive guide will help you all the best things to do in Chinatown San Francisco.
Best Things to Do in Chinatown San Francisco
Stop at the Iconic Dragon Gate
No visit exploring Chinatown is complete without stopping at the magnificent Dragon’s Gate on Grant Avenue and Bush Street. The curved archway with intricate carvings and chinese characters welcomes you right into Chinatown. Not only is it a great photo opportunity, it’s also a great starting point to explore Chinatown.
Pro-Tip: Make sure to wear comfortable sneakers, because there are many hills around chinatown. I hope you like hills 🙂
Explore the Alleyways
The best of Chinatown SF can be experienced simply by wandering its atmospheric streets. Chinatown has lots of hidden alleyways. In fact, all of Chinatown is filled with alleyways that are lined with red balloons, festive lights, wire hanging laundry, themed lampposts and bright colors. My favorite alleyways to check out are:
- Ross Alley– was a former “Street of the Gamblers.” Now it’s famous for housing the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
- Jack Karouc Alley- connects Chinatown to North Beach, named after the Beat Generation writer, features poetry installations and murals
- Waverly Place- includes the “Street of the Painted Balconies,” showcasing some of Chinatown’s most photogenic architecture.
- Hang Ah Street – nickname “Fragrance Alley” from the perfume shops that once lined its path/. Today, it’s home to the legendary Hang Ah Tea Room, Chinatown’s oldest dim sum establishment and a local favorite
Visit Portsmouth Square
Portsmouth Square is not your usual park, it’s busy. But not the same bus you may think of. It is busy, filled with locals taking up the benches to play card games, or locals practicing tai chi in the morning. Here, is where the locals gather.
Pro-Tip: Walk up the stairs in Portsmouth Square to get incredible views of Chinatown. There are also public restrooms available in the park.
Grant Avenue
While some dismiss Grant Avenue as too touristy (it kinda is),it may be up your alley. The touristy shops carry hand-painted silk scarves, jade jewelry, traditional fans, and intricate chopstick sets among many more Chinese culture items.
The street itself is super decorated with red chinese lamposts, lots of red lanterns and traditional chinese biuldings. It is a pleasant stroll.
Pro tip: Don’t buy the first item you see—prices vary significantly between shops, and gentle bargaining is often welcomed.
Stockton Street
While Grant Avenue caters to tourists, Stockton Street has an authentic chinatown feel.. This is where locals shop for groceries, elderly residents practice tai chi, and the real cultural heartbeat of the community thrives. The street runs parallel to Grant Avenue, just one block uphill. The prices are lower and the atmosphere is authentically Chinese.
I will be the first to admit that the markets selling dried seafood did not appeal to me. But it may appeal to some.
What did appeal to me were the shops selling snacks, coffee and tea. I really like:
- Pang Kee Bargain Market– for all kinds of asian snacks
- Sun Kau Shing Co – for coffee, tea, condiments
Eat incredible Dim Sum and Chinese Pastries on Stockton St.
To get a real feel of Chinatown, I recommend you go to Stockton St. and a real vibe of Chinatown. They have tea shops, traditional markets, all the locals and my favorite- the best dim sum and chinese pastries.
I am a self acclaimed foodie. Half of the time we were exploring Chinatown, we were eating and trying out all the different foods. I am not a dim sum gal, or a chinese pastry gal, but this trip opened my palate in ways I did not know. A lot of the places I went to eat at did not have any seating, so just be prepared for that.
My favorite bakeries and dumpling places in Chinatown are:
- Good Mong Kok Bakery– (in the morning) for some excellent Chow Mein, pineapple buns, scallion buns, and scallion pancakes (you can have an entire meal here for less than $10). But, there is always a line…
- Delicious Dim Sum– for all their dumplings tbh
- Mee Mee Bakery – for bread and cookies
- Dim Sum Bistro– not on Stockton, but on Broadway. Amazing dumplings
- Garden Bakery – for their egg tarts, pineapple buns, sponge cakes, and cocktail buns (bun with sweet coconut filling)
I highly suggest going on a food tour or create your own food tour!
Visit the Wok Shop
We like to wander around Chinatown–we rarely buy anything other than dining, but we always have the feeling there are things to buy or do that we can’t get anywhere else. We happened to walk by The Wok Shop. Woks, carbon steel pans, cleavers, and tons more. It has been around for like 40 years. If you like cooking, stop here. You’ll leave with something very valuable.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
No trip to Chinatown is complete without stopping by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross Alley. It is super fun to watch the workers hand-fold thousands of fortune cookies daily using traditional techniques. You can even purchase custom fortune cookies with personalized messages—perfect for unique souvenirs or gifts
It’s a very small factory; several ladies sit at the assembly line and fold and fill the cookies by hand..
You can watch them work for free (and may be given a free sample), and you can buy a bag of fresh cookies
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral
At the corner of Grant Avenue and California Street stands Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, a striking Gothic Revival church that has watched over Chinatown since 1854. The church has beautiful stained glass windows and is built of brick.
Time Your Visit for Chinese New Year
If possible, plan your visit during Chinese New Year celebrations (the Year of the Snake begins January 29, 2025). The neighborhood transforms into a festival wonderland with the famous Chinese New Year Parade attracting over a million viewers, street fairs, cultural performances, and spectacular fireworks displays.
Join a Walking Tour
Professional walking tours offer insider knowledge and access to places you might miss on your own. Local guides can share stories, explain cultural significance, and introduce you to shop owners and restaurateurs who’ve become neighborhood institutions.
SF CIty guides offer free walking tours throughout the city that are engaging and fun. The ones I have personally enjoyed are Chinatown, Telegraph hill and Golden Gate Park.
