Chinatown

San Francisco

Chinatown featuring street scenes
Chinatown
Chinatown showing street scenes, a city and signage
Chinatown featuring street scenes
Chinatown featuring 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 neighborhood 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 neighborhood 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

Orchard Garden Hotel

Orchard Garden Hotel

4 out of 5
466 Bush St, San Francisco, CA
The price is €146 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
€146
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,008 reviews)
"Hotel was very clean and quiet. Would stay there agaim"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Orchard Garden Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

5 out of 5
600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA
The price is €355 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
€355
22 Aug - 23 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"It was excellent"

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Grant Plaza Hotel

Grant Plaza Hotel

2 out of 5
465 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is €89 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
€89
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Been staying here since 2005."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Grant Plaza Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is €139 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€139
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,349 reviews)
"Very happy with our recent stay. Very convenient to local restaurants. Wonderful staff"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
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 €148 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
€148
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,606 reviews)
"Great location and great complimentary breakfast buffet"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is €135 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€135
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,496 reviews)
"Great location! Right next to china town and the financial district! Walk right out into the entrances of these cool areas. Very fun building. Room was amazing. Clean bright, huge window, spacious, especially compared to surrounding hotel options. Will definitely be back"

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
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 which includes 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 a city and street scenes

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 a city and skyline

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

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