Chinatown

San Francisco

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

San Francisco Chinatown is a colourful treat for visitors. Packed with authentic restaurants, exotic shops, ornate temples and buzzing food markets.

As one of the most densely populated and vibrant areas of the United States, this place hasn’t been without drama during its 160-year existence. It has witnessed turf wars, opium dens, bootleggers and secret clubs and societies. It also even had an unhealthy dose of bubonic plague. This colourful past has helped to shape the rich character of its contemporary culture making it one of San Francisco’s most popular districts to visit. In common with many other San Francisco districts, the Chinatown area was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and its resulting fires that destroyed large areas of the city. Today it’s a distinctive and striking area.

Begin your Chinatown experience at Chinatown Gate, located at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue. You can’t miss this entrance with its pagoda-topped design. The ceremonial entrance to the area is decorated with ornamental dragons and is guarded at either side by stone Fu dogs.

Come inside for an authentic experience. The markets sell live turtles and chickens and a host of other animals. Located down a back alley, known as Ross Alley, you’ll stumble across the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Your nose will guide you there. Inhale the distinctive delicious aromas as you approach. This is the only hand-made fortune cookie maker in San Francisco, which makes cookies of all varieties and sizes. You’re welcome to step inside to see the cookies being made and best of all, you can buy a bag of freshly-baked cookies to take away with you.

Not to be missed is the abundance of Chinese restaurants serving up a huge variety of authentic Chinese cuisine. There are dim sum restaurants and souvenir shops galore in the main tourist area but don’t just stick to the main streets. Head off down the labyrinth of back alleys where you’ll discover a different world with many a secluded gem secreted away waiting to be discovered.

The sights, smells and sounds of Chinatown are highly distinctive and will stay with you for a long time after you visit. It really should be on every visitor’s schedule. Chinatown is well within walking distance from the downtown area. Streetcars also service the area.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

Hotel North Beach
Hotel North Beach
2 out of 5
935 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P3,498 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
P3,498
P4,111 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7/10 Good! (999 reviews)
"Amazing and smelly"

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2025

Hotel North Beach
Executive Hotel Vintage Court
Executive Hotel Vintage Court
3 out of 5
650 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is P5,596 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
P5,596
P8,034 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,244 reviews)
"The hotel is older but was everything we expected. A great value and a delicious breakfast to start the day. Loved that they had ice water with citrus in the lobby even late at night we will stay again"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Executive Hotel Vintage Court
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 P7,194 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
P7,194
P8,467 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
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! (4,199 reviews)
"Convenient!"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 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
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! (6,509 reviews)
"Noisy room on the ground floor. You could hear every word if someone walked by and the generator from the parking lot across the street kept we awake half of the night. Definitely not what I expect from a RIU Hotel. Very disappointed. Maybe you should invest in new windows. However, location and ..."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
Fully refundable
The price is P5,699 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
P5,699
P6,480 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,856 reviews)
Nice Top Golf
"Great"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill
FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill
2 out of 5
1075 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P4,680 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
P4,680
P5,508 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (699 reviews)
Pride weekend
"I was very pleased with our stay. Great location everything is very close such as coffee shops, boutique stores, restaurants, and local liquor stores. Very close to Chinatown, union square, and DTSF."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill
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 high rise building and a city

Union Square

4.5/5(7 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(1 area review)

Travelers love Nob Hill for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Washington St & Leavenworth St Stop or Washington St & Jones St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Grace Cathedral and SF Masonic Auditorium.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

Enjoy the popular shops in Financial District. Embarcadero Center is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at California St & Front St Stop or California St & Battery St Stop to see more of San Francisco.

Financial District
North Beach which includes skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay are top sights in North Beach, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop to see more sights in the area.

North Beach
Lombard Street featuring flowers, a sunset and a house

Russian Hill

Spend some time visiting places like Macondray Lane while getting to know Russian Hill, and be sure to check out the beaches. You can hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop to see more of the area.

Russian Hill
Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

Downtown San Francisco

4/5(1 area review)

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