San Francisco Bay California Visitor Information

Chinatown

San Francisco Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest Chinatown in North America. It is one of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco.

Walking Tours are one of the best ways to explore San Francisco Chinatown. Visit fun attractions such as the Fortune Cookie Factory, Chinatown Alleys, Chinatown Gateway, Portsmouth Square, and much more. Not only can you see the sights and sounds of Chinatown, but you can also enjoy a culinary adventure. Enjoy great lunches or dinners in the Chinese community as you tour Chinatown in the day or at night. With numerous restaurant options, you can’t go wrong. There are several vendors who conduct tours of Chinatown.

San Francisco’s Chinatown includes many great places to eat as well as many beautiful historic buildings. Most notable are:

Bank of Canton – This was formerly the Chinese Telephone Exchange. The exchange was closed in 1949, when technology changed from switchboard-operator system to rotary-dial telephones. The Bank of Canton bought and restored the building in 1960.

Bank of America – The building is decorated with gold dragons on its front columns and doors, along with 60 dragon medallions on its facade.

Sing Chong Building – This was one of the first places rebuilt after the 1906 eathquake in San Francisco.