Step through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue and you’re instantly transported. Fresh dumpling aromas drift from dim sum restaurants while the haunting melody of an erhu floats from a street musician’s corner.
Narrow alleyways reveal hand-painted murals alongside traditional herb shops, which display mysterious dried roots and healing teas.
This is Chinatown in San Francisco—the oldest in North America and the largest Chinese community outside of Asia, all packed into just 24 square blocks.
I’ve wandered these streets countless times, always discovering something new, from local temples to the perfect bowl of noodles in an unassuming hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
This itinerary represents my ideal day in the neighborhood, weaving together must-see landmarks with authentic flavors and hidden corners that make Chinatown truly special.
Looking for food recommendations in the neighborhood? Read my guide to the 7 best restaurants in Chinatown.
Morning
Egg Tarts From AA Bakery
Address: 1068 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Start your morning with flaky, buttery egg tarts from this beloved local bakery. These custard-filled pastries are a staple of Chinatown breakfasts and make perfect fuel for exploring.
There are numerous bakeries in Chinatown, but this is one of the best spots for egg tarts. The most famous place to get egg tarts is Golden Gate Bakery, but it’s often closed or has very long lines, so AA is a better bet, and they’re just as good.
I recommend starting as early as you can from here, since this is when you’ll get the freshest baked goods.
Boba From By Me Boba
Address: 22 Ross Alley, San Francisco, CA 94108
Walk around the corner and find the historic Ross Alley, where your next two stops will be. If there’s no line at the Fortune Cookie Factory, you could go there first. Or, grab a boba to drink while waiting in line.
By Me Boba is a local favorite, known for its White Peach Boba, and I can attest to how good it is. Not overly sweet but very refreshing and delicious! Plus, the interior is Instagram-friendly, if that’s your thing.
This is also a good place to enjoy your baked goods with some boba since there’s limited seating at AA Bakery.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
Address: 56 Ross Alley, San Francisco, CA 94108
Boba in hand, head to the famous Fortune Cookie Factory. Founded in 1962, they produce up to 10,000 fortune cookies a day on copper griddle wheels.
This should be a quick stop (depending on the line), where you can watch the fortune cookies being made and get a free sample.
You can also purchase a bag if you want, although it’s not necessary. They sell chocolate, strawberry, green tea, and glazed cookies in addition to traditional vanilla.
Waverly Place & Tin How Temple
Address (Tin How Temple): 125 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108
Take a break from eating and drinking to see some historic sights in the neighborhood before lunch.
Tucked away one block from Grant Avenue, Waverly Place embodies the spiritual and historical heart of Chinatown, where vibrant temple balconies overlook traditional businesses below.
Known as “The Street of Painted Balconies,” this street has a complex history spanning from Gold Rush-era vice and notorious gang conflicts (including the infamous 1879 “Battle of Waverly Place”) to its modern fame as the namesake street in Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club” and backdrop for films like the “Pursuit of Happiness.”
The street’s most significant site is the Tin How Temple, the oldest continuously operating Chinese temple in the United States, established in 1852.
You can technically go inside the temple, but I sometimes feel weird visiting religious sites as a tourist attraction, so I haven’t actually been inside; I’ve just admired it from the outside. If you want to visit, it’s open from 9:30 AM – 2 PM (closed Thursdays), but no photos are permitted inside.
Portsmouth Square Park
Address: 745 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Next, walk over to Portsmouth Square Park to experience the social heart of Chinatown, where you’ll find spirited card games and groups of friends catching up on park benches.
There are often events going on in the park. The last time I was there, a band was playing live music to raise funds for a non-profit.
This historic square was actually where California was claimed for the United States in 1846. Now, it’s where locals come to relax and socialize, and it’s a solid place to people watch for a bit.
Afternoon
Dim Sum Lunch at Begoni Bistro
Address: 615 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94133
You can’t leave San Francisco’s Chinatown without getting dim sum, so that’s my recommendation for lunch.
There are a number of good dim sum places in Chinatown, but one of my favorites is Begoni Bistro.
They’re not the quickest in terms of service (as is the case for a lot of dim sum places in Chinatown), but they have friendly servers and delicious food that’s good value.
I’d recommend getting the Shanghai pork soup dumplings and the shrimp dumplings. I also got the steamed pork ribs last time I was there, and they were pretty tasty as well. String beans are a good option for a veggie.
Other dim sum alternatives I’d recommend include City View, Dol Ho Restaurant, and Delicious Dim Sum (this is a takeout-only place, so go here first before heading to Portsmouth Square to enjoy your meal in the park). And one of my favorite dumpling places in Chinatown is House of Xian Dumpling.
Chinese Historical Society of America
Address: 965 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Located along Clay Street, the Chinese Historical Society of America is a great place to learn more about the history of Chinese immigrants in San Francisco.
This museum is housed in a 1932 building designed by Julia Morgan, the same architect behind Hearst Castle, and serves as the nation’s oldest institution dedicated to preserving Chinese American history.
The museum tells the story of immigrants who built the West while facing discrimination. There are several rotating exhibits to enjoy. Currently, there’s one about Bruce Lee, who was born in San Francisco.
Frank Wong’s incredibly detailed miniature dioramas of 1940s Chinatown life are a permanent exhibit at the museum. His tiny storefronts and homes are like peering into a preserved world.
The museum is only open Thursday-Sunday from 11 AM – 4 PM. If you’re visiting on a Wednesday, I’d recommend visiting the WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall instead.
If you’re visiting on Monday or Tuesday, both of these museums are closed so you can skip to the next stop!
Stockton Street, Grant Avenue & Street Art
Local tip: A lot of the shops along Grant Avenue prefer cash but they’ll still take card if that’s all you have.
Grant Avenue is going to have a lot more for tourists, but if you have time, I also recommend walking down nearby Stockton Street for a more local feel to the neighborhood.
Stockton Street is where many Chinatown residents do their shopping at local produce and fish markets. It’s the more authentic side to Chinatown, and you’ll probably see a decent amount of elderly Chinese and hear a lot of Cantonese being spoken.
Grant Avenue is still bustling, but it’s filled with more tourists, kitschy souvenir shops, unique stores, and quirky attractions, such as claw machine arcades. Grant Avenue is also a lot more picturesque with its paper lanterns.
You could easily spend a whole afternoon along Grant Avenue looking into all the fun shops and arcades, and sometimes it’s fun to just wander down the street from north to south and poke your head into places that look interesting.
If you’re looking for more of a guide of where to go, these are the top spots I’d recommend visiting by category, specific shops, and the street art addresses if you want to work those in:
General categories by block:
- 400 block – Art galleries and souvenir shops selling postcards and T-shirts
- 500 block – Jewelry shops
- 600 block – Historic buildings including Sing Chong Building, plus shops like Canton Bazaar
- 700 block – Legacy businesses (long-established shops and restaurants)
- 800 block – Food treats like bubble tea and rolled ice cream
Specific shops to visit:
- Vital Tea Leaf – A must-visit if you’re a tea person. It’s a beautiful shop, and they’ll offer you free tastings of any type of tea you want to try. I highly recommend trying the Blue People Ginseng Oolong. I ended up taking home a quarter pound since it was so good. I’ve also heard good things about Red Blossom Tea Shop, but I haven’t been there myself yet.
- KIM & ONO – Handcrafted silk kimono robes.
- The Wok Shop – They sell woks (obviously), but also other specialty cookware and kitchen supplies.
- Chinatown Kite Shop – Colorful kites! Great to visit with kids.
- Canton Bazaar – Three-level store with Asian-inspired home decor, clothing, accessories, art, and gifts. I bought a cute little panda stuffed animal for my three-month-old from here.
Street art locations:
Local tip: You can find a good chunk of street art in two blocks between Washington & Sacramento streets.
- Grant & Washington Street – Colorful mural by San Francisco native Mel Waters located at 743 Washington Street.
- Grant & Clay Street – Pink-toned mural with flying mythological creatures, a dragon, and Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion.
- Grant & Commercial Street – Luke Dragon’s striking tiger-dragon hybrid soaring over lotus flowers, plus a Bruce Lee tribute mural on Eastern Bakery.
- Grant & Sacramento Street – Colorful mural featuring traditional lions, pagodas, and “Chinatown” text, plus Luke Dragon’s “Notorious PIG” inspired by Chinese literature.
Photo at Dragon Gate
Address: 500 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108
At the end of Grant Avenue, you’ll find one of the most photographed sights in Chinatown–the Dragon Gate. It was a gift from Taiwan in 1970 and acts as the entrance to Chinatown.
It’s the perfect stop for a photo op with its traditional Chinese architecture and guardian lions.
Evening
Dinner at Chong Qing Xiao Mian
Address: Chong Qing Xiao Mian: 915 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Once you have an appetite again, head over to one of Chinatown’s fan-favorite restaurants.
If you want a spicy kick and to experience Sichuan cuisine, make your way to Chong Qing Xiao Mian for their Dan Dan noodles. I tried them recently, and they’re delicious, with just the right amount of spice! The bowls are huge, so you could probably split one between two people; that’s what I did with my sister.
An alternative is Hon’s Wun-Tun on Kearny for their wonton noodle soup and scallion pancakes. I tried going here last time I was in Chinatown, but it was unfortunately closed because it was a Sunday. I haven’t been to this one yet, but it’s one of the local favorites in the neighborhood that consistently receives rave reviews.
The Illusionist Kevin Blake Show
Address (The Illusionist): 644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
I’ve seen Kevin Blake’s “The Illusionist” show three times, which might give you an idea of just how much I enjoy it.
It’s a unique magic show located in a speakeasy underneath a clock shop. Blake has great stage presence, and there’s a lot of audience participation to make it an engaging experience. I still have no idea how he does any of his tricks, but they’re very entertaining to watch.
If you’re not that into magic, another entertainment option for the evening could be going to a show at Great Star Theater. This is the oldest Chinese theater in the U.S., and they host a variety of different shows throughout the year, including dance, circus/cabaret, and comedy.
Mai Tais at Li Po Cocktail Lounge
Grab a nightcap after dinner at my favorite dive bar in Chinatown– Li Po Cocktail Lounge. Come here for the very affordable and strong Chinese mai tais, as well as the fun decor inside.
This was an Anthony Bourdain favorite, and I almost always make a stop in whenever I’m in Chinatown.
If you’re looking to continue the night, other popular bars in Chinatown include Buddha Lounge, Lion’s Den, and the fancier Moongate Lounge.
Alternative Add-Ons For the Day
Historical Walking Tour or Food Tour
Another great way to see the neighborhood is to go with a local guide to learn more about the layered history or taste your way through the food.
If you have a second day to spend or prefer seeing the neighborhood with a guide, this is a good way to spend a few hours.
I always recommend San Francisco City Guides for their thorough tours around San Francisco, and they offer a Chinatown walking tour. They’re technically free, although it’s recommended to give a $20 donation when you register for one of their tours.
For a food tour, this is the best option in terms of diversity of food and quality of the places visited.
EscapeSF
This isn’t exactly a cultural thing in Chinatown, but if you’re looking for a fun break from all the sightseeing, there’s an escape room on Kearny Street.
Suneel and I love escape rooms, and EscapeSF has an SF-themed one where you break out of Alcatraz. It’s pretty cool and another good way to spend an hour in the Chinatown neighborhood if you’re into puzzles and games.
Chinatown Night Market
If you happen to be traveling to Chinatown on the second Friday of the month (Mar-Oct), you might want to switch out the dinner option above with the Chinatown Night Market.
There are a variety of street food options, local vendors, and live music that take over Grant Avenue (between California and Pacific) and Waverly Place (between Sacramento and Washington).
Looking for more neighborhood guides and things to do in the city? Read our related guides below!
17 Best Things to Do in Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
21 Free Things to Do in San Francisco
46 Things to Do in San Francisco at Night
18 Cozy Things to Do in San Francisco in Winter
39 Best San Francisco Date Ideas
How to Ride Cable Cars in San Francisco
Pin one of these images for future reference
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi McFadden
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Mimi McFadden initially started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to write about her adventures abroad. But since 2019, The Atlas Heart has become a love letter to the Golden State. Mimi enjoys sharing her first-hand knowledge and expertise with the places she knows so well and making the most comprehensive travel guides possible. When she’s not hiking and exploring new places in California, she loves to travel abroad, read in her cozy chaise lounge, play basketball, and connect with friends and family over board games. Over her 30 years in California, she has lived in Santa Cruz (18 years), San Diego (5 years), and the San Francisco Bay Area (7 years), where she currently resides.
