San Francisco Chinatown Walking Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
San Francisco, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- 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 Cathedral660 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
The cross street is Grant Avenue
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.
Operating hours.10:00 am
Itinerary
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).
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).
1
All About Chinatown Tours
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Portsmouth Square
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Stockton Street
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Stockton Street
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
The Street of the Painted Balconies
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Grant Avenue
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
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
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 781 reviews
Tess_G, Mar 2026
Wow! Linda is amazing! Getting a tour of Chinatown from a Chinatown native was so valuable. She knew such cool old stories and facts about the people of Chinatown. My sisters, Mom and I did a Saturday morning tour and it was the highlight of our vacation. Thank you, Linda! You were wonderful!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Tess_G, Janice,Tara, and Robyn:
The four of you were so interested in Chinatown and delightful that I kinda wanted to be a distant family member. I'm glad you went home with memorable stories of Chinatown's history and culture. Don't forget to save your Colorado and Nevada tangerine peels to fight off impending colds!
Jennifer_L, Jan 2026
The tour was fun and informative, the kids enjoyed it too. We learned a lot about Chinese immigration to the city as well as a lot about their beliefs and culture.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hi Jennifer and Kelly:
I'm thrilled that you ended the year with a memorable tour and that your kids learned a little bit more about Chinese culture. Thank you for the 5 star review and Happy New Year!
Etkin_G, Jan 2026
Lovely attitude by the guide but very basic information and knowledge. Very slow pace, the tour could be finished within an hour. 59$ per person is too high for this quality. I think it is worth 20$. I am basing my comparison to similar tours we have done all over the world (London, Amsterdam New York etc.)
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Etkin, Godze, and Marin: Thank you for your review of your Chinatown tour. In defense of the tour about the information and timing, you might recall that we were joined by a family of 5 with a child who was autistic and their service animal. Your family also needed an enclosed and private place to nurse your child. Every group is different, and I always try to give a tour that everybody can relate to, from children to adults who are well travel. Thank you for your candid review, which I always appreciate to read, to inspire me to give a memorable tour that encourages anyone to learn more about our history and culture.
Brian_B, Oct 2025
Kinda was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable, and extremely engaging. She was also warm and humorous and was able to even keep young adults interested. I highly recommend her tour. There was someone on our tour who had previously taken her tour. I can see why they would come back. We will too!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Brian and Bev:
IF you come back for another tour, remind me how much we loved talking about hippies, vegetarians, and more. We'll find new topics to explore! Thank you so much for the 5 star review.
NeilEdmondson, Sep 2025
Fun and informative with Linda as our guide. Took us around, explained the history of Chinese immigrants to the area and the problems they faced. Witty and entertaining.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi NeilED:
Our group was fun and informative as well. Who knew about the great skills of Aldi employees and that a guest on our tour took a placenta pill so he wouldn't get postpartum depression? Great fun and interesting for all. Thank you for the 5 star review!
Sandra_S, Aug 2025
Nice opening overview of Chinatown lore and history. Linda was friendly and had good stories to tell.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi Sandra:
Really lovely family! Thanks for your positive review.
John_D, Aug 2025
The walking tour with Linda is very informative and a great introduction to the history and culture of the people who live in Chinatown.
Kathryn_D, Jul 2025
What a fantastic walking tour! We learned and laughed a lot - and really enjoyed the whole experience. We have been on many walking tours and what set this one apart was the small group size and one of the best guides we ever had. Linda was so easy to listen to and really appreciated all she taught us about the area, the culture, and the people.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Kathryn:
This review was so wonderful to read, I read it three times! I'm thrilled that your family enjoyed the walk. Now you can return to the Chinatown in Manhattan and say, "I know what's going on!"
Walter_K, Feb 2025
I have taken this same tour a couple times. It is fun and you learn so much. One of my favorite tours of San Francisco.
Kaitlin_S, Dec 2024
Learned so much!! Linda was a great guide telling us stories and history of the neighborhood, cultural significance, and much more.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Hi Kaitlin_S:
But then, I now know how to give answers that cover all bases: yeah-no; no-yeah; maybe!
Thank you for the 5 star review and happy holidays!
peggy_m, Oct 2024
We've been to San Francisco several times and decided to take an offical tour of Chinatown. Linda our guide provided an excellent insight on the history and culture that we would have not apprecitated nor recognized if we simply walked thru the area on our own. Learning about and seeing the apothacary and paper shop with spirit money were expecially interesting.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Peggy:
I find it most flattering if I can highlight new places to see for visitors who have visited Chinatown before. That's what history provides us: Stories within stories for a deepening connection. Thank you for your positive review and I hope you will keep your promise and take me ice fishing!
Shana_L, Oct 2024
Really enjoyed our tour with Linda Lee. She was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We learned so much! Definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Shana _L:
From our time together, II now know how to say "Pok my caw!" Thank you for the 5 star review.
Helena_U, Sep 2024
It was wonderful to explore Chinatown with a local guide! We learned a lot about the history and culture.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hi Helena:
I in turn learned a lot of about South Africa, London, and how to say "stuff" in Afrikaans! Thank you for the 5 star review.
Ellen_M, Sep 2024
Linda Lee was a wonderful tour guide, who gave us so much information that we would not even dream of knowing. Her familiarity with Chinatown and ability to relate to all different types of tourists makes her successful.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hi Ellen_M:
Thank you so much for this flattering review! I'd better be familiar with Chinatown these days, since I was born in Chinatown, and I'd better be able to greet all kinds of visitors, since this is my 41st year! Glad you are going home with more knowledge about our history and culture.
Andy_Z, Aug 2024
Great tour, with great and funny guide. Very informative as well. We learned a lot about Chinese culture in San Francisco.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Hi Andy_Z:
That's a compliment if you learned about our Chinese culture and had fun as well. Thanks for the 5 star review!
Tonya_C, Jul 2024
Linda was an amazing tour guide who shared her unique knowledge of Chinatown as someone born and raised there. She took us off the beaten path and explained about life and customs within the Chinese culture.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Hi Tonya_C: Thank you very much for your flattering review. I will have to get to Ocean City one day. Your shoreline looks gorgeous!
Lucy_D, Jul 2024
Four of us had a fabulous Chinatown tour with Linda Lee. Linda was very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and fun!! Living locally, I had been on several prior Chinatown tours and Linda's was The Best ever. We went into "new to us" places and learned so much. We were sorry when it was over. I would HIGHLY recommend Linda and her tour!!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hi Lucy_D:
Thank you for such a positive review! I'm glad I was able to show you some places that are new to you, while I too am learning about places and stories I've overlooked all these years. While I've been to quite a few Chinatowns all over the world, I've never been to the Chinatown in Victoria, British Columbia. Time for me to learn about the Canadian Chinese!
Sarah_N, Jul 2024
Tour guide was awesome! She was funny, knowledgeable, and made the experience so fun and memorable! Chinatown is full of so much history it was interesting to learn about it while walking through it.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hi Sarah_N:
We had a lot of fun because of our group! They were from so many places and brought interesting stories about their homes and lifestyles. Remember the Herrings whose family lineage fished for herrings in Europe? That's what makes a tour interesting and memorable. Give my regards to R. and thank you for the 5 star review.
Aisling_G, Jul 2024
Linda Lee is awesome! Chinatown is a special place. Linda does well to provide history and details one might not notice. I took my little brother, and he loved it!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
And I love your little brother! He was such a delightful young person - bright, engaged, wise for his age. Tell him I can spell his name two ways now, either with a "K" or a "C". Thank you so much for this terrific review.
Richard_L, Jul 2024
Linda was knowledgeable, personable, funny, and took the time to get to know us. 5 Stars. Would definitely take this tour again
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hi Richard:
Would that make it a 4th time? Thank you for this 5 star review!!!
Alex_K, Jun 2024
Informative, Dynamic, Interesting...
All my family enjoyed the tour.
I wish it could be longer; 2 hours probably is a good format
Tim_C, Jun 2024
Linda Lee did a great job taking us through the shops, streets and alleys of Chinatown. It had more to to with the culture than the history and it was definitely a worthwhile 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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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