San Francisco

San Francisco Chinatown Walking Tour

San Francisco, USA
San Francisco Chinatown Walking Tour
  • 2 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Dive deep into one of San Francisco’s most historic neighborhoods on this Chinatown walking tour. From paper lanterns to medicinal herbs to a fortune cookie factory, explore both popular and lesser-known gems in this bustling district with an in-the-know guide. Learn about Chinatown's fascinating history and culture, as well as private clubs, from your expert insider guide.
  • Tour popular sights and off-the-beaten-path spots that only locals know about
  • Explore an herbal pharmacy with unusual items for good health
  • Sample fortune cookies at the factory where they are made
  • Stroll through the bustling food markets to view exotic produce and specialty foods

What's Included

  • Professional guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Old Saint Mary's Cathedral
    660 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

    The cross street is Grant Avenue

Start time

10:00 AM

End point

  • 800 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

    The tour ends near Grant Ave., 2 blocks from Old St. Mary's Cathedral, the starting site of the tour.

What To Expect

Your tour starts in Chinatown, where you meet your informative guide. As you wander this colorful, lively neighborhood, listen to commentary from your guide about Chinatown’s history, culture and present-day authenticity. Take note of Chinese decorations that line the streets, pass by buildings designed like pagodas, and visit an herbal pharmacy, where you hear about medicinal uses of items such as ginseng root, pearl pills, and gecko lizards.

Follow your guide along Stockton Street, which bustles with markets selling seafood and some of San Francisco’ most exotic ingredients, and stop at Waverly Place, an intriguing 2-block alley lined with temples and secret clubs.

Next up, head to fortune cookie factory, where you can observe how the treats are made and enjoy a sample. Your walking tour ends near your starting point, from where can continue exploring on your own; perhaps visit the local shops or have lunch at a restaurant recommended by your guide (at your own expense).

All About Chinatown Tours

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Portsmouth Square

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Stockton Street

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Stockton Street

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Street of the Painted Balconies

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grant Avenue

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grant Avenue

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Tours operate rain or shine; please dress appropriately
  • We need a minimum of 2 persons to confirm your booking. If you are traveling alone, we will offer alternate dates for you to join us.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

5.0
732 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 732 reviews
Amazing Tour
Julie_J, Apr 2024
Linda is so fun to be with and gives a fabulous tour. Our entire family loved the tour. Took the time to know all of our names and kept their attention. She is a wonderful tour guide.
You’ll learn a lot
Linda_S, Mar 2024
Learned a lot in a short amount of time. Learned some history. Saw the markets. Enjoyed the herbal pharmacy. Would recommend.
Best SF Chinatown Tour
David_G, Feb 2024
When you visit the Chinese Fortune Cookie Factory, check out the weathered newspaper clilping just inside the entrance. You may find a quote from your tour guide! You will learn more about Chinese-Americans living in San Francisco's Chinatown on this tour than you would from spending years anywhere else in San Francisco.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hi David G: What a flattering review. I hope you and Sam enjoyed your morning with me and the parade that night on a day with perfect weather!
Great Tour
Gayle_S, Oct 2023
Linda Lee showed us daily life in Chinatown as well as its historic sites. She tailored her information and tour to our backgrounds and interests. Great experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Gayle_S: I didn't see this review until now so I apologize for the delay in responding a month later. So here on November 23, 2023, Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for the 5 star review!
An entertaining and informative tour
Lachlan_M, Oct 2023
Linda Lee was an excellent guide who adapted her talk to the audience, learned our names and combined humour and experience to provide and an entertaining and enlightening tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Lachlan: I might have learned your names, but did you ask me to spell and say them correctly? With a name like Linda Lee, I don't have to work so hard to spell mine. I enjoyed meeting your family; thank you for the 5 star review; and Happy Thanksgiving!
We really enjoyed our...
Debbie_P, Oct 2023
We really enjoyed our tour with Linda Lee. She charmed us with her personality and sense of humour and was very knowledgeable. Thanks Linda, so much. Walter and Judy
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Walter and Judy: I just found this review so I apologize for responding a month later. However, it is 11/23/23, so Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for the 5 star recommendation!
Interessting Tour in Chinatown
Stephan_S, Aug 2023
The produktion of the lucky cookies, it was interessting to see how this get produced and the history of Chinatown
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Stepha: Thank you for taking our tour! I hope you return home with many wonderful memories.
Chinatown Walking Tour
Angelia_L, Aug 2023
Linda was a great guide: knowledgeable, friendly, entertaining, and patient, The pace was perfect, not rushed but not too slow either. The tour was a perfect introduction to a wonderful neighborhood. We appreciated the shopping and dining recommendations, as well.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hi Angelia: I'm glad you and P. enjoyed your visit to Chinatown with our group. Wasn't it fun to have the couple from Palm Beach Gardens add their experiences to our tour? Hope back to school time is going to be promising, and thank you for the 5 star review!
Perfect Tour
Erin_M, Jul 2023
What a terrific tour! Linda was very knowledgeable without ever being stodgy. She kept the tour lively and fun while imparting a lot of information. I was sorry when it was over—the two hours zipped past.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Hi Erin_M: I love all these adjectives: knowledgeable, lively and fun. I never never want to be thought of as stodgy! This is because I was enchanted with the story of the ticktacktoe chicken booth in New York City. Thank you very much for the 5 star review.
Educational experience
Kristin_M, Jul 2023
Fantastic guide shared about the history and culture of the neighborhood. Would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Hi Kristin: I hope your family returns home with great memories of San Francisco's Chinatown. Thank you for the 5 star review and your generous gratuity as well. Someday I will take a tour of ATL!
Sights & Smells of Chinatown
Lori_S, Jun 2023
Beth shared her wealth of knowledge about the past & present Chinatown. She was very considerate of taking the tour at a pace that was suitable for us. We appreciated her recommendation of places to have a delicious dim sum lunch. The fortune cookie factory was extremely busy which may have been the reason the lady at to door wasn't very friendly; otherwise, we would highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hi Lori_S: Beth is one of our most knowledgeable and accommodating tour guides. I am so glad others who take Beth's tour will read this review. The staff at the fortune cookie factory are often overwhelmed by the number of daily visitors. We always hope we can stop in when it's not busy. Thank your for your 5 star review.
Interesting
Patricia_G, May 2023
The tour was interesting. We were totally surprised to find out fortune cookies were invented by a Japanese man. Linda was a great guide!
Response from Host, May 2023
Hi Patricia: It is remarkable to discover the history of inventions, isn't it? Check out how many things were invented in China and Scotland. Thank you for such creative minds, both in the past and today. And thank you for the 5 star review!
China Town Walking Tour
Mary_K, May 2023
The guide could have done better in terms of presentation and historical details. She spoke with a singsong voice, and her ability to point out historical events, knowledge of Chinese culture and practice was shallow.
Response from Host, May 2023
Hi Mary _K: Thank you for your feedback. I'll be sure to share your comments with our team and find ways to include more historical and cultural information for future guests on our tours.
Lots of interesting facts
Keri_O, May 2023
We learned lots of interesting facts about Chinatown. Specifically we enjoyed learning about immigration history and burial rituals. Alan our guide was very friendly.
Response from Host, May 2023
Hi Keri_O: Alan has extensive knowledge of Chinatown as he has been giving tours for over 40 years! Thank you for your positive review of his tour.
Great tour!
Kerrilynn_R, May 2023
Our family really enjoyed the tour! Lynn was wonderful and so full of knowledge about all things Chinatown. Thank you!
Response from Host, May 2023
Hi Kerrilyn: Lynn always shares her knowledge of all things Chinese with us tour guides too! I am thrilled your family enjoyed your visit with her. Thank you for the 5 star review.
Beth was great guide knowledgeable
Bible_G, Feb 2023
Great experience loves it would recommend it. Very nice to see worth the money we really enjoyed it! Motivates us to go back at Night
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Hi Bible_G: Our tours can only be great if the experience was so memorable that you would want to return! I know it was due to Beth's exceptional skills as your tour guide. Thank you for your 5 star review and letting others know to add a visit to Chinatown on their trip.
Great tour!
Lisa_J, Feb 2023
Having lived in china previously, our tour guide Don was great at explaining both the culture and the history of the area. We loved our tour!
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Hi Lisa_J: Not surprised that Don McNab gave you a great tour. Don lived in China for 15 years, so we are lucky to have Don bring his knowledge of Chinese culture and history to San Francisco's Chinatown.
The secrets of Chinatown SF
Filip_K, Jan 2023
Great visit of Chinatown with the best guide, who shared the cultural and historical background of the inhabitants of this peculiar neighbourhood.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hi Filip_K: Be sure to return with your son to shop for groceries on Stockton St.! My regards to S. and thank you for your 5 star review. Merci, maat!
Must Do Walking Tour of Chinatown!
Nikki_T, Dec 2022
Fun and educational walking tour of Chinatown! Our guide, Linda, was very personable and knowledgeable about the history of the Chinese in America and their important contributions towards the development of San Francisco. She helped us explore the culture, cuisine, religion, and various social clubs of the local community - which we would have never understood just walking around in our own. Dim Sum lunch at the Oriental Pearl was the perfect ending of the tour. Delicious! Highly recommend this tour to travelers who want to experience this vibrant neighborhood in San Francisco!
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Hi Nikki_T: This was such a thoughtful, flattering review of your experience in Chinatown that I am going to ask my web designer to post it on the website. Tell S. he earns my admiration for staying with Chinese for 5 years. If he loves the language, I invite him to be my translator for tours for Chinese guests. Happy New Year to you and your family and thank you very much for this 5 star review!
FABULOUS CHINATOWN
Elsa_L, Dec 2022
Had an exceptional time with our tour guide, Linda! She gave us so much insightful information about the history of Chinatown. Enjoyed passing through the market, going to a medicinal shop, fortune cookie 🥠 shop…. And her lunch food recommendation was excellent!!!
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Hi Elsa_L: I, in turn, will stand in 3 places at one time: Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, while eating fabulous Mexican food from ELP, because of your pride in your city! Thank you for your five star review. Happy holidays to you and your family.
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From $59.00

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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