Chinatown Travel Guide

San Francisco

Chinatown showing street scenes
Chinatown
Chinatown showing signage, street scenes and a city
Chinatown showing street scenes
Chinatown which includes street scenes

This historic and lively district offers an eclectic mixture of ornamental houses, exotic shops, restaurants, small museums, temples and food markets. 

San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the most densely populated and vibrant urban areas in the United States. These narrow streets have lived through more than 160 years of turf wars, opium dens, bubonic plague, bootleggers, and secret clubs and societies to become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Like much of San Francisco, the neighbourhood was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and fire.

Start your journey through the landmark pagoda-topped Chinatown Gate at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue. Ornamental dragons slither across this ceremonial entrance while traditional Fu dogs made of stone stand guard at its sides.

Look out for the many markets along Stockton Street where the locals shop. There are chickens, turtles and many other animals on display.

One of the attractions that also makes Chinatown worth a visit is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. The factory is in a small building in a backstreet known as Ross Alley. As you approach, the sweet aromas will draw you in as fortune cookies of all shapes and sizes are made here. Although there are other fortune-cookie bakeries in the San Fransisco, this is the only place where you can watch them being made the old-school way: by hand. The term factory is misleading as it’s really two or three people folding cookie after cookie behind the shop’s counter. Best of all, fresh bags of cookies are available for purchase.

To get more of a feel for the real Chinatown, rather than the one on show for the tourists, don’t just stick to the main streets with their fancy architecture, dim sum restaurants and souvenir shops. Wander through the labyrinth of back alleys and side streets to immerse yourself in the neighbourhood where the residents go about their daily business. Pop into temples, duck into the smaller stores and make a few discoveries of your own.

Chinatown is an easy walk from the downtown area. Streetcars also service the area.

 


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

5 out of 5
600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp5.027.633 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp5.027.633
Rp6.690.091 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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 property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Orchard Garden Hotel

Orchard Garden Hotel

4 out of 5
466 Bush St, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp2.133.142 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp2.133.142
Rp2.547.416 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,007 reviews)
"The hotel is very clean and the staff are friendly."

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Orchard Garden Hotel
Grant Plaza Hotel

Grant Plaza Hotel

2 out of 5
465 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp1.607.859 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
Rp1.607.859
Rp1.892.389 total
12 Aug - 13 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"If you're a diva it may not be your spot but if you want to be in the center of things for a reasonable price this is the place."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Grant Plaza Hotel
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
The price is Rp1.720.950 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp1.720.950
Rp1.956.638 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,995 reviews)
"Great location! Great price!"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp2.075.794 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp2.075.794
Rp2.443.105 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,594 reviews)
"great!"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
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 Rp2.256.063 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
Rp2.256.063
Rp3.330.541 total
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,624 reviews)
"What you expect for a highly rated hotel"

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
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(287 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

4.5/5(78 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

4.5/5(37 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(129 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(4 area reviews)

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 Macondray Lane.

Russian Hill
Default Image

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(52 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