San Francisco Trip Overview
Discover San Francisco’s Chinatown on this fascinating walking tour. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors, bustling atmosphere and rich heritage and culture of this storied neighborhood as your insider guide takes you to popular and off-the-beaten path locations, including an authentic Buddhist temple, an herbal pharmacy and Waverly Place, an unassuming 2-block-long alley full of private clubs. Stroll through the street food markets, sample fortune cookies at the factory where they’re made, and upgrade to include a 9-course dim sum lunch. You’ll leave with a whole new appreciation for this historic and culturally authentic neighborhood.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 hours
Starts: San Francisco, United States
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore San Francisco Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting San Francisco, California, United States
Discover San Francisco’s Chinatown on this fascinating walking tour. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors, bustling atmosphere and rich heritage and culture of this storied neighborhood as your insider guide takes you to popular and off-the-beaten path locations, including an authentic Buddhist temple, an herbal pharmacy and Waverly Place, an unassuming 2-block-long alley full of private clubs. Stroll through the street food markets, sample fortune cookies at the factory where they’re made, and upgrade to include a 9-course dim sum lunch. You’ll leave with a whole new appreciation for this historic and culturally authentic neighborhood.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: All About Chinatown Tours, 660 California St Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 94108-2501
Meet at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral to begin your walking tour of Chinatown’s most popular sights and hidden locales. Your guide will highlight the history and culture of Chinatown, explaining how the remarkable authenticity of ancient Chinese culture has been preserved and celebrated in becoming a must-visit San Francisco attraction.
As you navigate a historic maze of mysterious sights, have your camera out as you admire eye-popping Chinese decorations adorning the streets. Pass pagoda-style buildings and hear about their significance, and step inside an herbal pharmacy to learn about the uses of ginseng root for longevity, pearl pills for beautiful skin and gecko lizards for energy.
Stroll down Stockton Street past busy markets selling some of the freshest and most exotic foods in the Bay Area. Gain an understanding of Chinatown’s religious culture as you visit an authentic Buddhist temple, where you’ll see dazzling altars adorned with red lanterns, gold antiques and incense-filled bronze urns. You’ll also see a Chinese language school to find out how local Chinese families keep alive language and cultural traditions for their children.
At your next stop, Waverly Place, your guide will give you the inside scoop on Chinatown’s most interesting alley full of temples, private clubs and secret societies. This 2-block-long street may seem unassuming at first glance, but you may be surprised at what you learn.
If the intoxicating sights, sounds and smells aren’t enough, get ready for a great taste of Chinatown. Visit a fortune cookie factory to sample these ‘wise’ cookies and watch how they’re made. Upgrade to include a hosted 10-course dim sum luncheon at one of Chinatown’s most popular restaurants!
Ending back near your original starting point, you’ll leave with a list of recommended stores and restaurants in Chinatown, so you can continue exploring Chinatown like a real insider.
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ITINERARY
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Dim sum sample menu (if option selected; subject to change):
Pork and shrimp dumpling
Pork and shrimp pot sticker
Steamed Shanghai pork dumpling
Steamed chicken and cilantro dumpling
Steamed barbecued pork bun
Vegetable egg roll
Vegetarian fried rice
Chicken chow mein
Platter of green beans, mushrooms, and tofu
Dessert
Sesame ball filled with sweet bean paste
Two specialty teas: jasmine and chrysanthemum/oolong blend
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Chinatown, Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108
This electric neighborhood of 10,000 people is not to be missed, and it’s not hard to find: listen for the clack of mahjong tiles and nose out the salty spicy squid.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Portsmouth Square, 50 Walter U Lum Pl b/t Clay St & Washington St in Chinatown, San Francisco, CA 94108
Chinatown’s outdoor living room and the birthplace of San Francisco’s first American flag, first public school, and first cable car line.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
Stroll among the freshest and most exotic foods in the Bay Area at the Stockton Street Food Markets.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co, 56 Ross Aly, San Francisco, CA 94108-1204
We’ll sample these “wise crackers” and watch how it’s done.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
At this exotic dried goods store, you’ll see ginseng, bird’s nests, gecko lizards, fish bladders, sea cucumbers, abalone and more and hear about what these foods can do for you.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Street of the Painted Balconies, Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA
Admire architectural details and hear the history of these secret institutions on Waverly Place
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Chinatown, Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108
View an authentic example of traditional pagoda style architecture and hear about the origin of the building
Duration: 10 minutes
