08 Aug Summertime Visit to San Francisco Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco, and for good reason. It’s a vibrant and diverse neighborhood with a rich history and culture. There’s something for everyone in Chinatown, from traditional Chinese shops and restaurants to modern art galleries and museums.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, here are some of our favorite things to do in Chinatown:

San Francisco Cable Car Museum – Get a look inside the working mechanical headquarters for San Francisco’s entire cable car network. Visitors will see the cable winding machinery and the underground cable pulling the cable cars up and down San Francisco’s hills. (1201 Mason Street; Open Tuesday – Sunday; Free)

Chinese Historical Society of America – The oldest organization in the United States dedicated to collecting, preserving and illuminating the history of Chinese in America. CHSA provides exhibits and programming to learn about the ways Chinese Americans and Asian Americans have fought for equity, diversity and inclusion in American society. (965 Clay Street; Open Wednesday – Sunday; Admission $3 – $20)

Buddha’s Universal Church – The largest Buddhist church in the United States, the church was built over the course of a decade by volunteer congregants, who transformed a dilapidated concrete building into beautiful place of worship and community. Today, the Buddha’s Universal Church is home to one of the largest congregations in the United States. (720 Washington Street)

Grant Avenue – Stroll down Chinatown’s main street from the Dragon Gate at Bush Street to Broadway. The street is lined by beautiful buildings with ornate Chinese architecture and crisscrossed overhead with colorful Chinese lanterns.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory – The fortune cookie was actually invented in San Francisco, not China. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory makes up to 10,000 cookies each day from its factory on historic Ross Alley. Drop in to see the cookies being made, and buy a few dozen for later. (56 Ross Alley; Open daily)

Shopping – Chinatown is a terrific place to find souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. Stroll down Grant Avenue and duck into one of the dozens of stores and shops, or walk down Stockton Street for traditional Chinese produce and fish markets.

Portsmouth Square & Edge of the Square – Portsmouth Square is Chinatown’s largest park and the oldest public square in San Francisco. In the mornings, it’s filled with Tai Chi enthusiasts and during the afternoon, chess matches prevail. Right next to Portsmouth is  the new Edge on the Square, a year-round place-based contemporary art hub, featuring a variety of pop-up events, festivals and culinary experiences.

Authentic Chinese Dining – From tea houses to dim sum to egg tarts, Chinatown is home to some of the best Chinese cuisine in the world. You can find everything here in Chinatown from the traditional to the modern, and everything in between.

Z and Y Restaurant – One of the best Chinese restaurants in San Francisco is Z and Y Restaurant, located at 655 Jackson Street near Grant. Z and Y is a small, family-owned restaurant that serves some of the most authentic and delicious Chinese food in the city. The friendly and attentive staff is always happy to make recommendations, and you can’t go wrong with a menu that’s earned both a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a ZAGAT rating.

The vast menu features Szechuan classics and brings the heat with Chef Lijun Han’s signature spicy sauce. Favorites include Explosive Crispy Chicken, Pork & Ginger Wontons, Peking Duck and Fish Filet with Flaming Chili Oil.

Z and Y Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, and reservations are recommended at Open Table or by calling (415) 981-8988.

Tips to Visit San Francisco Chinatown like a Local

• Bring cash – Many of Chinatown’s small stores and restaurants don’t accept credit cards.
• Visit during the week – Chinatown is less crowded on weekdays than weekends.
• Wear comfy shoes – You’ll do lots of walking in Chinatown, so keep your feet happy in comfortable shoes.
• Respect the culture – Chinatown is a special place for many people, and is full of revered places like temples, parks and community centers. Learn from the culture and traditions.

Written by,
Grier McCurdy Mathews