In the center of Stockton and Grant Avenue in the City of San, Francisco, California you will find Chinatown. It is the oldest Chinatown in the whole of North America and the largest Chinese community neighborhood outside of Asia. It has been highly influential in the whole ethnic history of the Chinese immigrants residing in North America. Chinatown has two hospitals, numerous places of worship, social gathering venues, and different identities. Recently immigrants especially elderlies have been moving to Chinatown due to its affordable housing opportunity and the familiarity of the culture and community. Aside from the residents, it has been also a spot for tourists, drawing more tourists annually than the Golden Gate Bridge.
The neighborhood of Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the most popular attractions because of its easy accessibility to shops, exploring the streets and alleys, and of course, enjoying authentic Chinese food.
Highlights of Chinatown
One of the best things to do in Chinatown is to go to the much-photographed Dragon Gate which is the official entrance on Bush Street, where Grant Avenue brings you into the heart of Chinatown of San Francisco, CA. Auspicious dragons and koi fee decoration on the grate and the two stone lions stand guard. The gate is the authentic gate just like the usual gates that can be seen in Chinese towns, and it was a gift from Taiwan in 1969.
Grant Avenue is the core of Chinatown due to its business-oriented location and its attractions in a kitschy vibe, with the Chinese lamp posts, Chinese-style buildings, and red lanterns, decorative flourishes that complete the whole Chinese culture feels.
Sing Chong and Sing are the two buildings facing each other in the intersection of Grant and California were one of the earliest buildings that were built in Chinatown after the 1906 earthquake.
Chinatown is not the real Chinatown without the great opportunity for a variety of shopping locations, high-end bargain items. Most of the gift shops are on Grant Avenue and produce products on Stockton Street. EZ San Francisco Junk Removal
Food and Drink
Chinatown Dim Sum is one of the most anticipated restaurants of both visitors and locals for their authentic dim sum in a truly Chinese setting. Do not forget to stop over at Li Po Lounge for a couple of their infamous Chinese Mai Tais. It has been a notorious nightclub since 1930 and has been a local hangout favorite spot for generations. It has been very famous since Anthony Bourdain features on one of his travel shows. It gives a seedy and tacky on the outside but is enjoyable and weirdly safe inside.
Check out other wonderful neighborhoods like Fisherman’s Wharf